Kosovo with obstacles towards visa-free movement

The complex decision-making within the European Union and unfavourable political circumstances can become an obstacle to visa liberalisation, is consistent with the analysis of the Balkan Policy Research Group (BPRG), titled- “Kosovo's long road for visa-free travel”.

Increased scepticism within several member states, the 2014 exhibition, increasing the populism of rightist parties and governments -- are some of the factors that, according to the report, can make Kosovo's path difficult towards visa-free movement, Koha Ditore writes today.

However, the introduction of the mechanisation of the visa suspension, if there is an increase in asylum seekers, is considered a circumstance which could push the EU not to delay Kosovo.

“Mechanism on suspension of visa-free movement, which was adopted in 2017, could facilitate the process of decision on visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Through this measure, member states have more control over the situation after visa liberalisation. If there are waves of uncontrolled immigrants from a state excluded from the visa regime, each member state, as well as the European Commission itself, have the right to initiate the suspension mechanism”, it says in research.

“However, there is still work to be done and monitoring will continue. Kosovo must continue progress and demonstrate continued achievements in the area of rule of law, in the fight against corruption and organised crime. Likewise, EU member states are very sensitive to management of the administrative and migration border, and the Government must continue at the pace of progress achieved in this area”. (Full art, you can read it in today's Timestar issue)