Illegal migration, lack of reforms, visa barriers

Great scepticism has shown a group of European Union member states in terms of visa liberalisation for Kosovo.

The data is recorded in a report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has resulted from the meeting held this month with representatives of the 17 European Union member states, which the newspaper has seen. It describes the exact position of each state in relation to Kosovo, writes today “Koha Ditore”.

According to the document, concern mainly concerns illegal migration, as well as failure to meet expectations in terms of reforms Kosovo has had to meet. Only two states have been fully in favour of Kosovo's entry into the Schengen area.

“At the meeting, 17 member states have taken word, of which only Bulgaria and Hungary have been clearly positive and supportive of visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Other countries have expressed indecisiveness or sorrow over various aspects related to the terms/respect for reforms”, the report said. Furthermore, description is given to the official position of key EU states, in which Kosovo has consistently calculated for support