Ilir Meta answers Thaci's request for passports: Risking Free Movement

Albanian President Ilir Meta has declared that obtaining Albanian citizenship from Kosovo citizens to benefit from visa liberalisation could bring visa suspensions and for Albanians.

The acquisition of Albanian citizenship to enjoy visa liberalisation solves the problem of unlocking Kosovo's integration processes. Albania is under monitoring by countries in the European Union's Schengen area on meeting obligations for liberalisation of free movement. An unaccomplished movement in this direction could bring visa suspension even to all citizens of Albania. It could not be overproductive despite the positive and helpful good goal of having such a proposal”, Meta has been expressed for RTK, Top Channel conveyed.

The dedication of Kosovo's visa liberalisation with demarcation, the head of the Albanian state calls it an unfair condition, as Kosovo has met all obligations stemming from the guide.

“It is not fair that after so many years Kosovo citizens are the only ones in the Western Balkans not to enjoy visa liberalisation. If it were up to me and the desire of other institutions in Albania, it would have been done since yesterday, not today. This is not a solution, neither short-term nor long-term for Kosovo citizens”.

President Meta said further efforts must be stepped up to unblock the visa liberalisation issue, as well as work with understanding and confidence with Montenegro, but with the EU on the demarcation issue.