Visa Liberalization For Kosovo Under Negotiation In Future

Kosovo on map of Europe

Kosovo, a country whose legitimacy is disputed by some other countries within the EU and UN, is expected to move towards making an agreement with the Schengen Area for visa liberalization and visa-free travel for citizens.

The European Parliament agreed on September 13th, 2018 to move forward with talks of the abolition of visa regime for Kosovo citizens. The agreement was reconfirmed twice, once on March 28th, 2019 and again in late September 2019.

However, the European Parliament has not yet moved forward with the negotiations.

This is contrary to what the outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, has promised Kosovo citizens.

“I expect Germany to lead this decision in December. I look forward to the formal decision of the Council of Ministers and the leaders of the member countries in December,” Haradinaj told to local media.

The main opponents to Schengen visa liberalization with Kosovo are EU members who do not recognize Kosovo’s legitimacy as a country. These countries are Greece, Romania, Cyprus, Spain, and Slovakia.

Another source of concern of visa liberalization with Kosovo is the perceived possibility of a new wave of migrants from the country.

This is contrary to a report that outlines that asylum seekers from Kosovo should no longer be a cause of concern for EU countries.

The inconsistencies in what has been promised and the reality what is being done in parliament has left officials of Kosovo in a position that necessitates public apology.

“We know that Kosovars are disappointed with the visas, we regret that unfortunately Kosovars still cannot enjoy visa-free regime. We are working on this direction,” said Manfred Weber, leader of European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament.

Weber also commented on his opinions of a younger generation leading Kosovo, but declined to comment on relations between the Vetëvendosje and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).

“It is not for me to comment on relations between the Vetëvendosje and LDK, because this is a political issue concerning Kosovo. It is important for Kosovo to be led by a young generation,” Weber told.

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