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Some European Union diplomatic sources say that “France has given signals” that after the parliamentary elections in this country, which will be held on June 19, “may no longer oppose the decision on visa liberalization for Kosovo.”
Considering that this country has been the biggest opponent in the EU of visa liberalization for Kosovo, the signals from it are seen as optimistic signs that the abolition of visas for Kosovars will happen “soon”.
“At the level of the working groups and at the technical level in the Council of the EU, we have not seen any movement yet towards the decision on visa liberalization. But, we have seen, recently, the increase of readiness for this at the political level. There is commitment at a very high political level and that gives hope“, Says an EU diplomat for Radio Free Europe.
“When there is compliance and readiness at the highest political level, then work at the technical and procedural level can happen very quickly.“, He adds.
Kosovo is the only country in the Western Balkans that does not enjoy visa liberalization with the EU. The Government of Kosovo says that it has met every criterion out of a total of 95 that the EU has set in the roadmap for liberalization.
However, the process has been repeatedly hampered by some EU member states, especially France, which has expressed reservations about the free movement of Kosovars. According to diplomatic sources, France has asked for more guarantees that, in case of visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens, there will be no abuse and no arrival of fake asylum seekers in EU countries – as has happened with Albania and Georgia.
Diplomatic sources in Brussels say that Kosovo has engaged directly with the French authorities to address the concerns of this country and that this may also have had a positive impact.
One of the important elements, say the sources in the EU, is the public support that the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, gave to the visa liberalization for Kosovo, during his visit to Kosovo, last week.
This issue can also be mentioned at the EU summit, which takes place on 23 and 24 June in Brussels, although the decision is not taken at this high level, but by the EU Council.
The reminder that visa liberalization for Kosovo has been delayed and that it should happen without delays was made by the European Parliament on Tuesday through the report on Kosovo, which was approved by the EU Foreign Policy Committee.
The report called on Council member states to “urgently” move towards the adoption of a visa-free regime for Kosovo citizens, and said that new delays in this regard would damage the EU’s credibility and reputation. as a reliable partner.
The rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Viola von Cramon, has been more direct in her criticism, pointing to France and the Netherlands.
“Unfortunately, the European Union has failed to deliver on its promises to enable visa-free travel for Kosovo citizens. I really hope this will be the last report, which mentions this failure. As for the Council – and in this regard I want to address directly to France and the Netherlands – the time for the adoption of the decision is now“, Said von Cramon.
Although they acknowledge that “a proper political moment is being created for visa liberalization for Kosovo”, EU sources warn that “it can not be said at this time when the decision could be made.”
With just two weeks left until the end of France’s EU presidency, it is likely that this decision will enter the procedure during the Czech presidency, which starts on July 1./ REL
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