Becirovic calls for Bosnia and Herzegovina to lift visas for Kosovo citizens

He has commented on Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's decision, which has made it known in this year's organisation of the Berlin Process, that since January 1st next year, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to enter Kosovo only with IDs.

The Berlin Process was launched in 2014, at the initiative of then German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The aim of its summits, held annually, is to boost co-operation among Western Balkan countries Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia, and gradually draw them closer to the EU.

After this decision made by Kurti, I expect that even within Bosnia and Herzegovina, when it comes to representatives of the entity of Republika Srpska through state institutions, to help us take adequate steps to fully implement the agreements Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed under the Berlin” Process, Becirovic said, after meeting with Albania's president, Bajram Begaj, who is located for a visit to Bosnia.

Since January of this year, Kosovo citizens can travel freely to the countries of Mrs. Schengen, but still need visas to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to objections from representatives of the Serbian entity, Republika Srpska.

Bosnia and Herzegovina does not recognise Kosovo's citizenship.

At the media conference, held with Albania's president, Becirovic has described Kurti as good <x0 mic> and his decision to abolish visas as the unusual “in this region”.

The “is important for all of Bosnia and the entire region, and we want to send an important message”, Becirovic said, when he called for full implementation of the agreements signed under the Berlin Process.

One of the agreements reached is the removal of the visa regime between Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it has not yet been ratified by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliament.

Ratification has been blocked by representatives of Republika Srpska authorities, led by Milorad Dodik's party. / REL