Representatives of EU member states have agreed with a proposal to liberalise visas for Kosovo citizens as of 1 January 2024.
The decision was taken during a meeting between visa advisors on Tuesday in Brussels. The date of 1 January 2024 was requested by Spain, one of the five countries that do not recognise Kosovo’s independence from Serbia, declared in 2008 following the 1998-1999 Kosovo-Serbia war.
France initially suggested that the liberalisation of Kosovo’s visas be linked to the operation of the EITAS system, a suggestion pushed forward by Spain.
The Czech Republic, which currently holds the rotating European Council Presidency, has been pushing for a decision in visa liberalisation throughout its six-month term. Kosovo has met the requirements for visa liberalisation since at least 2018, but it has repeatedly found the decision obstructed and delayed for various reasons.
During a meeting last week, Spain, Slovakia, and Sweden asked for further clarifications on the proposal.
The approved proposal was drawn up by the Czech Presidency last week and it specified that the liberalisation should be tied to the operation of the EITAS system.
The system, which is currently not operational, allows the digital verification of identity documents and the issuance of electronic visas before making a decision on whether someone should be allowed entry into the Schengen Area.
(Alice Taylor | Exit.al)
Source: euractiv.com
