On Tuesday, members of the EU parliament declared approval for visa-free entry to the citizens of Kosovo. Travellers from the nation will be allowed to enter without a visa the following year. Kosovo is the Western Balkans’ last territory that required a visa to enter the Schengen area. Earlier it was a province of Serbia in the former Yugoslavia.
Pristina welcomed this change as another step towards full recognition. It’s also considered as a boost for the European ambition of creating a region that attained independence after a 1998-99 war.
However, this province isn’t recognised as independent either by Serbia or by Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Slovakia, and Romania.
As a result of the decision, Kosovo’s residents can travel to the within the Schengen area for up to 90 days every six months. The area comprises most EU nations as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Conversely, Kosovo will also be accessible to citizens of Schengen nations without a visa.
Supporting the vote, Albin Kurti, Kosovo leader prime minister said, “This brings us an important step closer to the European Union and contributing to the richness that the EU offers. Thank you to the MEPs for their support,” he said, in a social media post.”
With the onset of the new ETIAS, allowing member states to effectively share information, this measure will go into effect. However, the law will still be applicable by 2024 end if implementation gets delayed.
According to Thijs Reuten, a Dutch Socialist lawmaker, “This move finally enables the people of Kosovo to easily travel, visit relatives, and do business in the EU.” Thijs guided the procedure through the European Parliament.
He added, “But it is more than that. This milestone is also an important foundation for the future and ever-closer cooperation between the EU and Kosovo.
This statement came on the day of the Brussels Agreement’s 10th anniversary. Signed on 19 April 2013, this agreement is intended to normalise relations between the governments of Kosovo and Serbia.
Ivica Dacic, Serbian Foreign Minister, said, “Visa liberalisation for Kosovo, in the days of the 10th anniversary of signing the Brussels agreement, is an act of hypocrisy and insolence towards Serbia.”
Both Serbia and Kosovo want to join the EU, but this is possible only if Belgrade readily acknowledges its breakaway province as an independent state.
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, urged Vucic in 2019 to “find a global and sustainable solution” with Kosovo during a visit to Serbia. Following his visit, several EU leaders had several trips, creating pressure to keep differences caused by Ukraine’s invasion by Russia aside.
European unity will get a boost with Kosovo and Serbia’s mutual recognition in the face of Russian aggression. This will also fit well into Macron’s sovereign Europe vision where Belgrade’s willingness to seek financial aid from either China or Russia would reduce.