A decision on Kosovo visa liberalisation for the EU has been moved from 1 November 2023 to the end of that year amid undecided member states.
The Czech Presidency of the EU has drawn up a draft decision for visa liberalisation that would see Kosovo’s citizens be able to move freely within Europe.
“The visa exemption will only apply from the date of commencement of ETIAS, but in any case no later than December 1, 2023,” according to the latest draft seen by Radio Free Europe.
Kosovo has met all requirements for visa-free travel since 2018 but has consistently been rebuffed by various states, including some that do not recognise its soverienigty.
Several EU member states, including France, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain, have slowed down the Czech presidency’s push to end the EU visa requirement for Kosovo citizens as they are reportedly demanding additional security guarantees. This is named that liberalisation must be linked to the EITAS European security system, enabling the verification of third-country citizen data before admitting entry.
The current draft will be adopted on 16 November unless it receives opposition from member states. If there are no objections, it is adopted and sent to EU ambassadors for discussion at the end of the month. It will then be passed for approval by the European Parliament, and the EU Council of Ministers and requires a 55% majority to pass.
Those who back France’s proposal have remained tight-lipped on the current status of talks. Meanwhile, the Czech presidency calls it a priority and hope for a swift conclusion.
“It is a priority for the Czech Presidency and we would like to see a positive decision in the Council by the end of the Czech Presidency including an approved timeline as to when the visa waiver for Kosovo will come into force.”
(Alice Taylor | Exit.al)
Source: euractiv.com
