France: Kosovo is not treated by other states that have gained liberalisation late

Kosovo is not treated differently than other countries that have recently benefited from visa liberalisation. Discussions are continuing in Brussels”, a source from France's MPJ has told Express.

Also this source from “Quai d'Orsray” has stressed that in the joint declaration with Germany and Poland, support for visa liberalisation has been given and the effort by the Republic of Kosovo for visa liberalisation is known.

This source from Paris has said that through the communiqué issued by „Weimari “, France's commitment to the Western Balkans, which is also recently shown through support for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia from France's highest political level.

“Ministers for European Affairs of France, Germany and Poland (Wemary Triangle) have called for progress in visa liberalisation for Kosovo. This supportive stance represents a recognition of efforts made by the Republic of Kosovo. It also highlights France's dedication to and to the Western Balkans, which has been materialised for example in successful efforts to broker an agreement between Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia, or, finally, in reaffirmation at the highest political level of its active support for EU-mediated dialogue between the Republic of Kosovo and Serbia“, this source has said by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Following the latest visa working group meeting, there have been reports in the media that France supported by several other states is conditioning visa removal for Kosovo with functioning system E TIAS. For the matter, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has met France's ambassador to Pristina, where she has also sought not to connect the political decision of member states with the ETIAS system.

European Commission has already said the system E TIAS is expected to function in November 2023.