Minister Hoxha for visa liberalisation: We'll know citizens

European Integration Minister Done Hoxha has held the media conference, and on this occasion, has discussed visa liberalisation, yesterday's positive vote in the European Parliament.

At first, Minister Hoxha has thanked the media for the liberalisation process, as well as keeping that topic in the opinion.

I have stated that in this process we will have full transparency and our citizens will be notified of all steps until the end of this important process for the country. Yesterday, the European Parliament, with a solid majority, approved entry into negotiations for visa liberalisation for Kosovars. This approval in the European Parliament was another step towards free movement for our citizens”, Minister Hoxha stressed.

Furthermore, Minister Hoxha stressed the next steps following the European Parliament vote.

“Voting in the European Parliament allows the Council of Ministers to approve the removal of visas for Kosovo. As for the Council of Ministers of the EU (the main EU institution that is under the Austrian Presidency by 31 December 2018) is to note that the format which rules for visa liberalisation is the one of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) in which justice ministers who are sitting with judicial co-operation in civil, criminal and human rights issues, while the interior affairs ministers deal with migration, border management and other police co-operation<2>, Minister Hoxha stressed.

Minister Hoxha stressed that the EU Council of Ministers consists of several structures starting with the Working Groups (Worlding Party), Commissions, COROPER and the format of ministers.

The EU Council's “on September 17th 2018 will meet the Working Group for Visa. The visa processing group will be covered by the capitals of the EU member states and consists of experts from the interior affairs ministries. The working group for the Visa is headed by the council presidency in this case by the Austrian presidency. The current GP visa chairman from the Austrian presidency is Karl-August Lux”, Minister Hoxha stressed.

On 25-26 September COWEB visits Kosovo's institutions in terms of the visa liberalisation process, Minister Hoxha stressed, the situation will be viewed closely in terms of Kosovo reforms, specifically the Rule of Law and related aspects. The Inputette, the Minister Hoxha taking over the mission, will direct the decision making of the Council of Ministers structures, so it will influence the decision making of first COWEB (visa Group) then the COREPER, and that will ultimately affect the Council of Interior and Justice Ministers' decision.

After the end of discussions and voting in COWEB and GP for the visa, if there is consent, the proposal goes to the COREPER level where ambassadors of EU Member States sit. COREPER meets between 6 and 9 times a month, for example. In September 2018 there are 7 meetings, in October 6, in November 9 and December 6 meetings. The format of JHA ministers is usually collected in 3 months, and the remaining meetings are on 11-12 October 2018 and 6-7 December 2018.

If the Council of Interior and Justice Ministers votes for visa waivers for Kosovo citizens, then the document signed by the Council and Parliament and is published in the official EU newspaper is regulation of the European Parliament and the Council, which mandates Rule No. 539/2001, which lists citizens of third countries who must have visas when crossing external borders and citizens who are free of this condition.

After the approval of the Council of Ministers and the publishing of the Order, entry to power depends on the decision of these relevant 48x0> institutions, Minister Hoxha stressed.

As for future steps on what our institutions can do, Minister Hoxha stressed, I can say we have already met the criteria and everything is in the hands of member states. Member states are those that must join the European Parliament and decide for the free movement of citizens.

It's important to mention that the only thing we can do right now is a conscious campaign that we've already started. This campaign aims at awareness and informing citizens of what it is and what is not visa liberalisation in the sense of rights and obligations. Once again let me say that this process will be passed on to full transparency and citizens will be notified of any development over the time of”, Minister Hoxha stressed.