EU to discuss granting visa permits to Kosovo passport holders

The European Union has moved a step nearer to permitting Kosovo passport holders to enter the bloc with out visa necessities.

Underneath draft legal guidelines, Kosovar residents might quickly journey to the EU and not using a visa for a interval of keep of 90 days over a six-month interval.

Amongst western Balkan international locations, solely Kosovo residents should at present apply for a allow to go to, examine, or obtain medical care within the EU and the Schengen space.

Certainly, Kosovo stays the one nation in continental Europe in addition to Russia and Belarus exterior the EU’s visa-free regime.

Activists have informed Euronews that the necessities are “unjust” and “a really politicised difficulty”. Not all 27 EU international locations recognise Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in Kosovo.

Serbia — which sees its former province as part of its territory — has actively tried to forestall Kosovo from turning into a full-fledged member of worldwide organisations such because the UN and Interpol.

However the EU mentioned on Wednesday that Kosovo has made “important progress” on varied reforms, together with the basic proper of free motion.

The measure may very well be lifted by 1 January 2024, the European Council mentioned in a assertion. 

The EU ambassadors agreed with a mandate on Wednesday and the matter will now be mentioned between the Czech EU Presidency and the European Parliament.

“At this time we have now taken an essential step in the direction of visa-free journey for Kosovo,” mentioned Czech Overseas Minister Jan Lipavský.

“We now hope to succeed in an settlement with the European Parliament swiftly to make this promise a actuality,” he added.

“Visa liberalisation has been made potential by Kosovo’s efforts to strengthen its border controls, migration administration, and safety, and we belief that this good cooperation will solely develop stronger sooner or later.”