Macroni's statement on visa liberalisation for Kosovo was badly translated, what happened yesterday?

As it was reported in the media that France has suspended this process, the president's press statement states that the issue of visa liberalisation for Kosovo remains open.

A press release notes that this is a technical process, where France cannot be declared alone, but must first consult with its European partners.

The president has talked about tensions between Serbia and Kosovo. He said what our demands were. In this context and taking into account the blockade of Pristina, the president praised that the visa liberalisation issue remains open. Furthermore, it is a technical process and a discussion to be made with our European partners”, France's President's Office said.

President Macron declared yesterday during a joint conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana that France could suspend the visa liberalisation process for Kosovo because “did not respect the word given”, accusing Kosovo of failing to keep its word on forming association.

According to French media, Macro's statement has been mistranslated by the translator and reported wrong.

Some diplomatic sources within the European Union (BE) have clarified that it is unlikely that a state unilaterally suspend visa liberalisation for another state, and that this could be done only through a regulation by the EU Council, following a statement by France's President Emmanuel Macron, which caused confusion in Kosovo on Tuesday.

While for many media in Kosovo Macron “threatened” with the suspension of visas for Kosovo when he said in Tirana Tuesday that “we have made a gesture of confidence on the visa issue. As for France, they [visions] are removed because we respect the word given. And today, the word is not being maintained”, but sources within the European bloc said France has made such a request.

Sources from Brussels told Radio Free Europe on Tuesday that the suspension is possible only through procedures in the EU Council “using the regulation for the visa suspension mechanism“by 2018.

“Finance, nor any other EU member state, has at the moment proposed no visa suspension for Kosovo or for Serbia. But if there is political interest, it can also do so“, a European Union source has said.

In April of this year, the decision on visa liberalisation for Kosovo was also formally adopted by the EU and published in the official European Union newspaper the same month.

From 1 January 2024 Kosovo citizens are expected to travel visa-free to 27 EU countries, which make up the so-called Schengen zone.

To suspend this decision, another decision must be made by the EU Council. This can be done either by the European Commission or by any member state. Then, Council member states can vote for possible suspension.

There are four scenarios when the visa suspension mechanism will be activated:
1. In case of significant growth over 50% of irregular migration.

2. In the event of considerable growth over 50% of low-level asylum requirements, about 3-4%.

3. In the event of the decline in co-operation for the repatriation of citizens expelled from the EU, as a result of the irregular stance.

4. In the event of increased risk for the security of EU member states, especially for serious criminal acts.

So far, only once had it happened that an EU member state would seek suspension of visa liberalisation for a country in the region.

In 2019, the Netherlands had demanded that visa liberalisation be suspended for citizens of the Republic of Albania. In reasoning, he mentioned the danger that Albanian citizens involved in organised crime in the Netherlands pose for the national security of this country.

But the European Commission had rejected that requirement.

But how did this misunderstanding come to be?

France's president, Emmanuel Macron, said in Tirana on October 17th that France made a “get trust on the visa issue for Kosovo”.

From some media in Kosovo and Albania it has been reported that Macroni has declared in Tirana that France has ruled on visa liberalisation.

The French news agency AFP, in terms of the Macroni declaration in Tirana for visas, said that with this “ai has threatened Kosovo with the deterioration of the visa decision”.

Implementation of the visa liberalisation decision for Kosovo is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2024.

Macron spoke of visas in Tirana, linking the political situation between Kosovo and Serbia.

The French president said he has pursued increasing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia and urged both sides to take steps to relax the situation. He said it is “the responsibility of [Serbia President Aleksandar] Vucinqit tou firmly condemned the attacks on September 24th, because it contributes to the return of calm to border”. The French president referred to the 24 September attacks on Kosovo police by a group of armed Serbs.

“in future stages what we expect from the authorities, on both sides is simple: Reorganisation of elections in Serb-run municipalities, Serb participation in elections and institutions, the establishment of association of Serb municipalities by Kosovo authorities. I expect Vuciqi to be responsible, and I expect the same from Kosovo president and prime minister”, Macro said.

Richard Jozwiak, Europe editor for Radio Free Europe in Prague, focusing on covering topics pertaining to the EU and NATO, said there is no mechanism in the EU that could undo such a decision.

“actually, you need to create a new law to break that decision [for visa liberalisation for Kosovo] and no one has initiated that. This is something that would have to pass through all mechanisms and we are in October now, and visa liberalisation is scheduled to enter into force on January 1st. So, if technically speaking, in political terms it's something impossible”, he said.

Jozwiak said visa suspension could be prompted based on concrete data of a host of things, usually linked to a high number of asylum seekers, for example coming from Kosovo, if the repatriation process doesn't work

You need a little time when you have visa liberalisation in order to initiate suspension of the decision. This can't be done on January 1st because what information do you have? This relates to very specific things to prevent people from misuse of liberalisation”, he stressed.

Jozwiak praised Macroni's statement more as a “emotional selection”.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has also been asked yesterday about the statement France President Emmanuel Macron issued in Tirana on Tuesday, where he threatened to suspend visa liberalisation for Kosovo because “did not hold the words”.

The “is already cleared. Directly, French institutions have informed us, but also numerous statements, that it has been a kind of translation distinction. This process has not been suspended and legally cannot be suspended by a state. I am convinced that whatever clarifications President Macron and French institutions require we can give them in the meantime and remove any reluctance they may have. But the process continues, and this decision goes into effect on January 1st, 2024”, Osman said.

Osmani has said Macron was more concerned with the matter of confidence.

With France as an ally state, we will sit and discuss these issues. I've met him in Granada recently President Macro. His request was clear, with which I agree and all Kosovo institutions have agreed, so that as soon as early elections are held in northern Kosovo. I have announced that Kosovo has established the legal basis through administrative instruction, it is important that citizens participate. Without the participation of citizens, it will be repeated April 23rd, no one's going to fit this”, Osmani said.

President Osmani has also delivered a message to citizens who want to leave Kosovo.

It has called on them to have faith.

“beg to have confidence in the Republic of Kosovo, of importance is when the train returns to track. And the train's on track, the state's on track”, Osman said. I understand the difficulty many families face, I want to assure you that we are doing our best within our competencies to contribute to improving their lives. But we are also facing tremendous security challenges being caused by Serbia. But it is the duty of the state, of the institutions for citizens to be sure and to be a more productive life, to realise dreams within the Republic of Kosovo”.

Osmani has added that visa liberalisation allows travel for tourist reasons, but that it does not allow permanent evacuations from Kosovo, as it would be illegal.

Kosovo citizens' “to respect the rules of this system is very important. It's a system that is constantly valued”, the president added.