Pacolli stands behind visa statements, has a message for colleagues from parliament's Commission

I just told the truth”, Pacolli said, in a Facebook response.

And for that, it has said there are some signals that have made clear that, despite government statements that Kosovo has made positive steps to fight corruption and organised crime, the main condition for visa liberalisation has not been met and therefore will not have visa liberalisation within this year.

He listed them at three points.

1. The European Union's enlargement strategy for the first time acknowledges that in all Balkan states, including Kosovo, state capture by power. This is the first time and we hope it is not the last time the EU directly says the real situation. This conclusion will undoubtedly affect the decisions of member states.

2. The report, written by 3 independent European experts, delegated by the European Union, which was kept hidden by the public, finds that Kosovo institutions have failed and have made no progress in fighting corruption and organised crime. This report will be treated with the greatest seriousness of all member states before making a decision on or against visa liberalisation.

3. From today's meeting it is true that, in contrast with the government, which aims that visa liberalisation will happen this year, EU office representatives have not mentioned a date for visa liberalisation. And that's exactly the point. So, at the meeting, it was declared that they hope the European Commission will provide positive recommendation for visa liberalisation. It was not said Kosovo would receive the recommendation for visa liberalisation, but said they hope. No visa liberalisation would be said.

Similarly, it was said that the final decision depends on member states and that the government and we as MPs can help the government begin lobbieing at the states separately in order to convince states that Kosovo has done good work in fighting corruption. Now? That wasn't said before the demarcation. So, instead of now finishing the lobby, and now having a list of places to vote for visa liberalisation now we're talking about lobbies. Lobbying is not the process that takes place within a short period.

Pacolli has said that all members of the Commission who have reacted to my statement are clear that there will be no visa liberalisation.

But they can't accept it now because they have voted for the forgiveness of the territory for visas we won't get this year. After the meeting ended during a discussion I had with Blerta Deliu, I asked him if he knew there would be no visas this year. Her answer differs from what she publicly stated”, Pacolli said, conveys Koha.net. Her response during the discussion we had after the meeting was that we should get it once this year just positive recommendation from the European Commission... Blerta and other members of the commission know very well that even if the recommendation is going to be positive this does not guarantee that EU states will vote for visa liberalisation”, it has said further.

Therefore, if there is a dilemma about what was discussed, let the transcript be published”, she said.