The Czech presidency of the EU Council: Visa liberalisation for Kosovo is our priority

Although since 2018, the European Commission estimates that Kosovo has met all criteria for abolishing the visa regime on the part of the European Union, this right still does not enjoy the newest state in Europe.

But the Czech presidency of the European Union Council for 2022 seems to have taken the delay ahead of this process very seriously.

Veronica Lukasova, who is spokeswoman for the Czech Presidency of the EU Council, has confirmed the initiative.

According to her, the visa liberalisation issue is a priority and wants to see a positive decision by the end of the Czech Presidency.

The Czech presidency has re-introduced and re-opened the issue of visa liberalisation for Kosovo in the October visa processing group, and we will continue discussions again in the second week of November”, it has said of Krankosova.tv.

“is a priority for the Czech Presidency and we want to see a positive decision in the council by the end of the Czech Presidency, including an approved timetable when visa removal for Kosovo” will come into effect.

Asked about France's proposal that the visa liberalisation process for Kosovo be linked to the entry into force of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, it has said such a system will be binding for all citizens of non-EU countries who do not need visas for the Schengen area.

The European Travel and Authorisation Information System will be mandatory for all those who are not EU citizens and do not need visas to travel to the Schengen” area.

Lukasova estimates that the system E TIAS is expected to be operational in 2023.

We remember that the Czech presidency of the European Union Council for 2022 is the Council's second presidency of Czechia, held between July 1st and December 31, 2022. The Czech Republic held the first presidency from 1 January to 30 June 2009.