Republika Srpska pauses adoption of abolishing visa regime between Bosnia and Kosovo

With this decision has been banned from lifting the visa regime between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, despite the fact that a free movement agreement was reached on this issue in the Western Balkans during a meeting under the Berlin process in November 2022.

All 64 deputies present voted on the issue. For this decision to be adopted, a two-thirds majority of the vote was required.

Bosnia and Herzegovina does not recognise Kosovo's independence due to opposition from Republika Srpska officials.

The session was called after Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency member Zhekja Cvianovic initiated a mechanism to protect the vital interests of Republika Srpska, because, according to her, during the 21 June presidency meeting there was no consensus on the issue. She said lifting visa regime would be harmful to Republika Srpska's vital interests

The conclusion for urgent approval of the Agreement on Freedom of Movement Together with several other agreements on mutual recognition of professional qualifications, as well as the adoption of the Action Plan to meet 14 key priorities has been presented to Bosnia by the European Union to move forward in the membership process.

The vital interest on this issue was unanimously approved in terms of the Action Plan, for which 64 MPs present voted.

Both decisions will come into force after publishing in the Official Journal of Republika Srpska.

The parliament of this entity also approved several conclusions of parliamentary groups, through which they condemned <x0->acts of violence, political persecution, imprisonment and continuing endangerment of the Serb security situation in northern Kosovo”.

MPs also called on international actors to take measures to normalise the situation in northern Kosovo, the Serb-run area, as soon as possible. /rel/