Visa liberalisation ? European Commission says there will be no additional guide for Kosovo

Verheley had not mentioned exactly what this was about.

On this issue, Telegrafi has sent questions to the address of the European Commission, who in their response have stated that it is not about an additional guide.

The “Commission continues to stand behind the assessment from July 2018 that Kosovo has met all criteria from the 2012 visa liberalisation guide, which concerns repatriation and reintegration, document security, migration and border management, security and public order, as well as the fundamental rights related to freedom of movement”, said Ana Pisonero, spokesperson of the European Commission for neighbourly issues and enlargement.

Ana Pisonero, European Commission spokeswoman for neighbourly issues and enlargement.

Further in her response, Pisonero indicated that the decision to abolish visas for Kosovo is a very late decision.

We understand that some member states continue to have concerns about issues such as fighting corruption, false asylum demands and document security, which are covered by the guide. The commission remains ready to support additional work between member states and Kosovo authorities to address these issues. We're not talking about any new guides”, said Pisonero.

Pisonero further added that after deciding for visa liberalisation for Kosovo, the European Commission will monitor the continued implementation of requirements stemming from the suspension visa mechanisms and from the Stabilisation and Association process.

Otherwise, on Monday 23 June, Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Verhely had said a guide would be established to address specific concerns.

We are willing to help Kosovo, together with member states, establish a guide to address specific concerns. Members' authorities, rule and law agencies, police forces need to engage on the ground to help Kosovo. In turn, we are willing to give Kosovo all the financial, technical and political assistance for this process”, Verhely had declared.

Kosovo is the only country in Europe that does not enjoy freedom of movement, although the European Commission has twice stressed that Kosovo has fulfilled all the criteria.