EC: Kosovo's lack of asylum requirements increase over 100 per cent

However, Kosovo in general continues to meet the criteria for visa liberalisation, the EC said in its latest report under “mechanisms for suspension of visa liberalisation”.

The European Commission compiled such reports for all countries enjoying visa liberalisation to see if there is a need to consider the possibility of restoring the visa regime.

This is the first time Kosovo has been included in such a report since the EU lifted visas for Kosovo citizens from January 1st this year.

From January to July of this year, on average over 550 Kosovars have sought asylum in European countries every month.

This figure is markedly higher than the average in the past six years.

But, the report stresses, it is still early to make precise findings on what impact visa liberalisation has had, as there is no record for the entire year.

In next year's report, the EC will have full data available.

Despite this, the report reportedly has reported that several member states have reported significant increases in unbased asylum demands by Kosovo citizens since the beginning of 2024”.

The “in the first seven months of 2024 has been submitted 3,905 asylum applications in EU countries by Kosovo citizens, presenting 108 per cent growth compared to the same period in the previous year”, the report says.

In this report, the European Commission requires Kosovo authorities to establish mechanisms for exchange of data with member states to monitor the flow of illegal immigration and train and asylum demand.

Kosovo is also urged to resume its internal information campaign on rights and obligations during the trip to the Schengen Zone countries and co-operate bilaterally with countries that are most hit by the phenomenon of unfounded asylum demands.

Another issue the European Commission has asked for from Kosovo in terms of continuing to meet the criteria for visa liberalisation is the adoption of Kosovo's visa regime with that of the EU. That is the bloc's request for all countries in the Western Balkan region.

The EU wants all countries in the region to fully adapt this regime to that of the bloc, which means that for all the states for which the EU is seeking visas, they must also seek.

Kosovo currently has 16 states whose citizens need visas to travel to the EU, but can come to Kosovo without visas. This prospect of visa-free travel to countries of the Balkan region for the EU is considered a potential risk of illegal migration to its member states. /REL