Miftaraj gives deadlines when Kosovars move freely

Speaking of this process, Miftaraj says visa liberalisation still remains in the disrepute of interior ministers of EU member states.

He has also given deadlines on when Kosovars can move freely into the Schengen area, if liberalisation is won.

This depends on what practical or what timetable the Council of Ministers of the European Union set this case, and if we take the practices of various states. There have been states since the decision on visa liberalisation has been made, there have been three month deadlines that are shorter until the six to nine-month deadlines, so from the day the decision is made. So it remains in the will of the EU states' interior affairs ministers how long they will set deadlines to enable Kosovo citizens to move freely”, Miftaraj told EO.

Miftaraj is optimistic that Kosovo will finally gain liberalisation, which it says that in terms of criteria, Kosovo has met years ago.

In terms of meeting technical criteria, Kosovo has met them years ago. On the other hand, this is the political decision that belongs to almost every government, where we know that the most difficult were France and Holland, and with the fact that France has thankfully held the elections and has a new presidency that President Macron will have a full mandate, so I believe it will be easier to make a decision at this time to liberalise visas for Kosovo<1>, he said.

In response, Miftaraj said that the changes in attitudes of France and Germany will also try to persuade the Netherlands to have a positive decision.

Miftaraj says the scepticisation of these states exists because of the escape to these states of recivilists by criminal acts.

“While I was part of working groups, we've had meetings with different states, and basically these countries have had the main problem, there's been how many people can go to Holland, France and Germany, and then how many citizens who go to meet certain criminal groups and who can suffer the citizens of those states as a result of criminal acts that can be committed”.

The fact that Germany and France, but very important, is France has issued a communiqué through which they support visa liberalisation, I believe this is the biggest turn that has taken place for more than 12 years since we started the visa liberalisation process. Another country that has been a barrier is also the Netherlands, and I believe that when France and Germany are for, I am sure they will convince Holland to have a positive decision on liberalisation”, Miftaraj said further.