Tanya Fajon: Will do everything we can to liberalise Kosovo visas

She said it would be fully committed to bringing this process to an end as soon as possible, and added that arguments against which some EU member states could now not be justified.

Promises of visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens are being made each year.

Since the start of dialogue with the European Commission in January 2012 and before the visa liberalisation guide was accepted in June of the same year, local leaders had given promises that Kosovars would soon move freely.

But the visas were not removed even after the confirmation of the European Commission, which in July 2018 said Kosovo has met the last two conditions for liberalisation: Demarketing and achievements in fighting crime and corruption.

This year, however, it is not known whether this will happen.

The MEP of the European Parliament (BE) and the rapporteur for visa liberalisation for Kosovo, Tanja Fajon, in an interview for FactePlus has said that despite the state of Kosovo having met the conditions required by the EU, it cannot give any deadline when liberalisation could occur.

“Wouldn't like to give the exact deadlines when liberalisation could happen. Once the Council has given the green light, the regulation can be approved quickly. The ball is in the hands of EU governments. As a rapporteur, I will do everything in my power, to make it feasible, for Kosovo citizens to travel without visas as soon as possible”, Fajon said of FactePlus.

While, it has said that the five states that have not yet recognised Kosovo should not see the same issue of recognition with liberalisation.

According to her, liberalisation should not be seen as political issues.

“I hope that the states, which do not recognise Kosovo, do not view recognition and visa liberalisation as the same. We and all EU institutions do not see this issue that way. I can remind you that the EU has removed visas for Taiwan even though you are not familiar with the state. Lifting visas is important for ordinary people in Kosovo and should not be viewed as political issues. In this case, it is not justifiable for anyone to view this as a problem”, has declared Fajon, for factPlus.

Rapporteur Fajon has also talked about the election process in Kosovo, saying that now when elections are over, Kosovo should form its institutions as soon as possible.

After the elections, it is important that Kosovo form new institutions as soon as possible so that it continues to work closely with European countries”, it has added.

While acknowledging that when it comes to Western Balkan countries, the European Parliament has had many failures.

Facts The elections in Kosovo have ended, but the country's institutions have not yet been formed, and citizens have long been waiting for visa liberalisation. How much this situation affects visa liberalisation. When exactly will Kosovo citizens enjoy this news?

Fajon: After the elections, it is important that Kosovo form new institutions as soon as possible so that it will continue to work closely with European countries. Furthermore, the new government must not deviate from the progress made so far in fighting crime and corruption, and must continue to implement all requirements necessary for abolishing visas. I wouldn't want to give the exact deadlines when liberalisation could happen. Once the Council has given the green light, the regulation can be approved quickly. The ball is in the hands of EU governments. As a rapporteur, I will do everything in my power to make it feasible for Kosovo citizens to travel without visas as soon as possible.

Facts When are competent institutions within the EU expected to discuss and make a decision on this process?

Fajon: As we all remember, the European Parliament has given the green light already in April, which is important for future steps. Moreover, my mandate was confirmed by the new European Parliament in September. In December, the new European Commission has taken over. I expect the Finnish presidency of the European Union and the new European Commission to bring the Kosovo issue back to the agenda. I've urged them to do this. I maintain that Kosovo has met all conditions set by the EU for visa liberalisation, and again the Council has refused to act. As I said earlier, I hope that during the Finnish presidency, visa liberalisation will be put back on the table.

Facts It is known that five European Union states have not yet recognised the state of Kosovo. Do they continue to present problems in this regard?

Fajon: I hope that the states, which do not recognise Kosovo, do not view recognition and visa liberalisation as the same. We and all EU institutions do not see this issue that way. I can remind you that the EU has removed visas for Taiwan even though you are not familiar with the state. Lifting visas is important for ordinary people in Kosovo and should not be viewed as political issues. In this case, it is not justifiable for anyone to view this as a problem.

Facts What is your call for these five countries regarding visa liberalisation?

Fajon: My call would be, not only for these five countries, but also for the entire European Union, that Kosovo has fulfilled what we have asked of them. Now it is our turn to act and it is necessary for the European Union to carry out its part of the promise. We in the European Parliament and as Social Democrat have had many failures in relation to the Western Balkans. It's time for us to do something.

But my call also goes to all responsible ones in Kosovo. We need your co-operation, implementation of all necessary criteria for the visa-free regime is of great importance. Work must continue!