After Holland, Switzerland seeks Albania's visas back

After Holland, even some Swiss politicians are hinting at restoring visas for Albanian citizens following the demand that the lower countries addressed the European Commission.

Legist adviser from Ticina Canton, Lorenzo Quadri, has sought intervention with the Federal Council, and Dutch Parliament's moves to restore visas for Albanians in the Schengen area and the government's subsequent official request to the EC are cited in the parliamentary act, writes Tch.

“Visa obligation for Albanians”, writes Quadri, “removed in 2010”.

“Since then, they can move freely”, he continues, while further underlines that the Dutch Parliament has motivated his request with “the disturbing increase of crime, especially the Mafia type, coming from Albania”.

It has been stressed that six times more Albanians live in the Netherlands than those officially declared and that according to Rotterdam police, the Albanian mafia is the most violent criminal organisation in that city in recent years. Another outstanding problem is the illegal immigration of Albanian citizens to the Netherlands, especially young males.

The European Commission also affects Switzerland, as our country has signed Schengen agreements”, are the arguments provided by Quandri.

The Netherlands Parliament recently approved a motion urging the government to block the opening of negotiations on Albania's EU membership for 2019. According to the Dutch government, Albania has not achieved tangible results in fighting corruption and organised crime. Stephen Block's minister said the European Commission's recommendation for opening membership negotiations with Albania was premature.