Austrian Eurodeput: Visa liberalisation for Kosovo is urgent issue

Mandl has written on Twitter that visa liberalisation is urgent and important for Kosovo, as the criteria have been fulfilled for a long time.

“In the government's programme in Germany, the exhibition mentions visa liberalisation for Kosovo. This is urgent and important. The criteria have long been fulfilled, the European Parliament and the European Commission have long agreed to”, the Eurodeput wrote.

About two months after federal elections, the SPD, Green and FDP introduced their coalition agreement for a joint government yesterday. So far, they had kept quiet for many details.

EU enlargement with Western Balkan states support the coalition parties. Especially the Green and Social Democrats had this part of their election program.

“We support the EU membership process of six Western Balkan countries and reforms needed to meet all Copenhagen criteria”, the coalition agreement of Germany's next government says. “In this context, we strengthen civil society and support other phases of pre-membership”. The Social Democrats, The Green and FDP Liberals say in the coalition agreement that the next “step should open the first EU membership chapters with Albania and Northern Macedonia, visa liberalisation with Kosovo and continue negotiations with Montenegro and Serbia” should be put in agreement.

“We support the normalisation dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as efforts to achieve lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, given respect for territorial integrity and overcoming ethnic divisions. In parallel with membership negotiations, the EU must improve its receptive capacity”, the agreement on the future German government” is noted in the coalition agreement that will form the new German government.