7 minutes agoProgress Report Confirms Lifting Visas on January 1st, but Admissions to Kosovo
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)The European Commission's Progress Report also mentioned the issue of visa liberalisation for Kosovo. The report reportedly after approval of the European Council and Parliament, visa liberalisation for Kosovars is scheduled to take effect on January 1st, 2024, and that passport holders from Kosovo will be able to travel [...]
The proposal of the Commission for visa lifting for Kosovo citizens was approved by the European Council and Parliament, with the adoption of the relevant regulation on 9 March 2023 in the Council and on April 18th 2023 in the European Parliament. Visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens is scheduled to take effect on January 1st, 2024”, the report published today says.
Meanwhile, in this report it says Kosovo must develop information campaign on rights and obligations related to visa-free travel status, to prevent possible misuses.
“Kosovo must develop an informational campaign on rights and obligations related to visa-free travel status, to prevent possible misusing”, the report stresses
As for harmonisation of the EU visa policies with those of the EU, the report stresses there is still work. Here they stress the need to improve the equipment they do collecting biometric data for those applying for visas.
Kosovo has not yet fully harmonised its legislation with EU visa policy. Kosovo enables visa-free travel for 110 countries with ordinary passports for 90 days within a six-month period, including 22 countries that do not have visa-free regimes with the Schengen zone. The owners of 89 countries' passports must obtain a visa before they enter, 4 of which enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen zone. Visa launching authorities have the capacity to digitally collect biometrics from visa applicants, though equipment needs improvement. All given visas and denials are registered in the visa information system. 16 Kosovo consulates around the world can issue visas. Kosovo continues to meet the guide's standards for visa liberalisation. On April 18th 2023, the European Parliament approved the agreement with the Council on a Commission proposal allowing Kosovo passport holders to travel to the EU without visas. Given this, since 1 January 2024, passport holders from Kosovo will be able to travel to the EU without visas up to 90 days in any 180-day period. During the process, Kosovo authorities showed commitment to addressing all issues raised by the EU”, the report stresses. /Express
