EU diplomat: For Kosovo, now is not the moment for visa liberalisation

So has an EU diplomat say that one of the main reasons why there is reluctance for visa liberalisation for Kosovo is what he has called “bad experience in the case of Albania and Georgia”.

When visas for Albania and Georgia have been liberalised, the Commission also said all conditions have been met. But after the removal of visas, we had many people who came to our countries, including criminals and extremists. Such liberalization was misused. It took a while to resolve this problem”, he said.

This source has added that in the case of Kosovo “we first want to be convinced that there is full confidence with authorities that we will have no problem liberalising the” visas.

“We are co-operating, in a moment the liberalisation will occur, but that moment is not now” has said this source.

The diplomat has also spoken of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and has warned there will be <x0) a diplomatic commitment to move things around, as Kosovo and Serbia continue to have diametrically curd positions”.

Germany and France, which will soon take over the rotating EU chairmanship, are expected to work together.

A conference dedicated to the Western Balkans is also expected during the French EU presidency.

This won't be any classic summit The EU-Balkans, because one will be held during the Czech EU presidency in the second half of the year.

It is expected to be more a <x0conferencing where some specific problems in the region will be discussed”.

Among “specific problems” are considered mostly the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and reports between Kosovo and Serbia.

During the French EU presidency, according to an EU diplomat, commitment is also expected to unblock the start of membership negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia.