Fajon disappointed: Unacceptable to set new Kosovo visa conditions

The European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo, Tanja Fajon, has said she is disappointed with developments about visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens.

In a statement to Radio Free Europe, Fajon has said it is unacceptable for Kosovo to impose new conditions after all requirements have been met.

“I am concerned with some developments and statements concerning visa liberalisation, such as Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's visit to Pristina. It is unacceptable how some politicians are trying to politicise the process further, imposing new conditions and thus delaying visa removal for Kosovo citizens”, Fajon has declared.

It has called the fact that all conditions on Kosovo have been met, however, the European Union is not acting.

I insist that member states use the same standards for Kosovo as they have been for Ukraine and Georgia in recent years. Once the conditions are met we must move on. If these principles are questioned then we lose credibility”, she said.

However, Eurodepute Fajon has said there is hope that by the end of the year or early next year the decision on liberalisation could be made if political will is involved within the governments of EU countries.

“Once EU governments have given the green light, approval can be completed quickly. I hope this happens by the end of the year or at all early next year. We are entering the elections within EU institutions, Parliament and the European Commission will be elected again, so as a rapporteur it will do everything within my power to achieve it during my mandate. The ultimate goal is within reach, so what we need now is courage and political will. Both exist in the European Parliament, but the question is whether they exist in member states”, Fajon added.

She has cited the fact that Kosovo has met all the conditions, however, what this country must now show is the fact that its citizens understand visa-free travel conditions.

I have warned on many occasions that the stop is now in the hands of governments of EU member states. I urged them to proceed during the Austrian EU presidency, and we will continue to pressure the respective governments. At the same time, Kosovo must continue to meet the necessary conditions. What we need to see now is that Kosovo is ready to accept liberalisation in practice and that people are aware of the restrictions that the visa-free movement” contains, Fajon has expressed.