Germany “considers” Kosovo's bid for expired passports

Svechla made that request for Germany on January 6th, as Kosovo now and many months has trouble providing the material needed for passport production.

The German Embassy in Kosovo has confirmed to Radio Free Europe that they have accepted this request.

“The request currently is being considered by the Federal Interior Ministry”, the embassy's response said.

From the German Embassy, they have added that Svechla's request has been restricted “to allowing re-intervention in Germany for Kosovo citizens living in Germany with valid residence permits, and Kosovo-born babies born in Germany, and still not issued Kosovo passports”.

Radio Free Europe on Tuesday published stories of Kosovo citizens who have faced numerous problems in recent months on their travel plans, because the Civil Record Agency has not issued passports, except for emergencies.

Nora Fetosti, spokeswoman at the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs, has said the government-registered company for material supply, with which passports are produced, has failed to obtain this material.

“Like many other states, we are facing material supply difficulties, difficulties that have caused the global crisis, as well as pandemics with COVID-19”, Fethoshi said.

On January 10th, the MPB has indicated that by the end of this month, the material supply for passport production is expected to be restored.

In this statement, the MPB has said that “opens regret over the created situation and requires understanding from all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo until the resolution of this matter”.