“I hope that now, after the recommendation from the European Commission, procedure will start and conclude without unnecessary delays both in the European Parliament and in the Council. Kosovars, the only remaining citizens from the Western Balkan region without visa liberalisation, should soon be able travel to Schengen area without the need to ask and obtain visas.
I want to congratulate Kosovo authorities, civil society, media and all other partners in Kosovo who did excellent job in promoting visa liberalisation. However, they should not stop their efforts as the procedure goes on. They should now focus on explaining to citizens that visa liberalisation will allow free travel but should not be misused, since this can lead to consequences. There is a pressure inside the EU to speed up the procedure to reintroduce visa system even if it is lifted, in case of migration pressure.
Visa-free travel will be very important for young people in Kosovo, students, researchers, business community and many families whose members are already living and working in the EU.
This has been a good week for Kosovo; Commission’s recommendation comes a day after Kosovo became a member of the UEFA. Both are long awaited decisions that are particularly important for young people of Kosovo.
Now they also have a feeling of belonging to the European family, with the freedom of movement and having opportunity to participate in the sport competition and football that is so close to the hearts of people.”
