The EU confirms: Visa liberalisation in line on 13 October

The Czech presidency of the European Union has officially put the discussion on visa liberalisation for Kosovo in order.

Under the plan it has presented, the visa issue will be discussed on 13 October.

Of the six Western Balkan countries that remain outside the EU, only Kosovo citizens cannot freely move to European countries, or what is known as the Schengen zone.

In June 2016, the European Commission had estimated that Kosovo has fulfilled all criteria for visa liberalisation, but it has set conditions for finalising the process to reach agreement on ratification of the border demarcation between Kosovo and Montenegro, and that it will have results in fighting crime and corruption in Kosovo.

The Czech foreign minister has high expectations for visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Then in 2018, the European Commission had concluded that Kosovo has fulfilled all criteria and proposed liberalisation. The European Parliament has supported that decision, but some sceptical countries like France and the Netherlands have not agreed with the Commission's assessments as a whole.

Among their concerns was that of increasing the number of Kosovo residents aimed at the EU and misusing freedom of movement to seek asylum in the European bloc.

EU officials believe that there is currently “positive option for visa liberalisation for Kosovo”, adding that this process “should be finalised within several months”. If compliance is reached, visa liberalisation will be used for Kosovo biometric passports carriers.

In addition to EU countries, Kosovo citizens could also move to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. / REL/