Spouse Politicians Need Visas

The failure to break the agreement for demarcation between Kosovo and Montenegro in the Kosovo Assembly further keeps citizens of the country isolated. The official position of the EU is that Kosovo will not benefit from visa liberalisation without ratifying this agreement and achieve tangible results in the fight against corruption.

The topic of demarcation has been continuing since 2015, when agreement was reached on the matter. Part of the people's representatives state that Kosovo with this agreement loses 8,000 hectares, while others estimate the agreement has been reached properly and must be ratified. The agreement has also given support to the United States and the EU, reports Radio Free Europe in the Serbian language.

But, the government of Kosovo, on Monday, has prosecuted the demarcation Agreement, which has also been linked to the report of the new state demarcation Commission, which has concluded that Kosovo has lost territory with this agreement.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo has declared it will vote in favour of ratification of the Agreement, but its ruling coalition partner, The AAK, which has nine deputies, opposes it.

Another smaller ruling partner, Fatmir Limaj's Initiative for Kosovo, has emerged against six MPs, as well as opposition party Vetevendosje, with 32 deputies.

Until this issue is resolved, Kosovo citizens will still wait for months longer for terms at the European embassies in Pristina, then wait in line in the sun and in the snow to hand over visa documents.

However, many state leaders, MPs, but individuals with high positions also do not need to wait in line for visas, as they are equipped with Albanian state passports for which the visa regime is not worth it. Among them are those who oppose the ratification of the agreement on demarcation.

Through a decree by the president of Albania, citizenship has been obtained by many Kosovo politicians.

In April of this year, Albanian citizenship was already obtained by Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and his wife Anita, as well as Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Limaj.

Previously, the Albanian passport was also taken by Vetevendosje Movement leader Visar Ymer, members of his party, Albin Kurti, Dardan Milijqaj, Aida Drsguti, Glauk Konjufca, Lieburn Aliu and Pristina municipality Chairman Shpend Ahmeti. Prior to them, Albanian citizenship had also taken over the other member of this party, Hydjat Hyseni. While other MPs of this party also have passports of European states, writes Radio Free Europe, Koha.net broadcasts.

In July of this year, Albanian citizenship was won by deputy chairman PDK, Hajredin Kuci with his wife, Fatmiren.

In addition, Albania has also granted citizenship to the former head of the Gjakova municipality, Mimoza Kusari ya, then LDK deputy Arben Gashi, as well as former LDK delegation Sabri Hamiti.

Even Selim Pacolli, the brother of Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli, has been equipped with an Albanian passport, which in the recent local elections competed for Pristina's first. AAK Deputy Chairman Gazmend Abashi is also equipped with Albanian passports, as well as former Kosovo Ambassador to Albania Syla Ukshi.

Apart from politicians, Albanian citizenship has won other public faces in high positions, such as CEC head Valdete Daka, Kosovo Police General Director Shpend Ahmeti, Shpend Maxhuni, chief of the Anti-economic Crime Unit Nazim Sahiti, Kosovo Telecom General Director Agron Mustafa, director of the Kosovo Privatisation Agency, Ekrem Hajdari, and many others.

Long ago, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci asked his Albanian counterpart, Ilir Meta, to enable Kosovo citizens to speed up procedures for Albanian citizenship, which was rejected by Meta, but also by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama