Kosova: In Schengen in 2016?
During an interview with Radio Free Europe, Mr Bekim Collaku, Kosova Minister for EU Integration, has suggested that Kosova might become part of the Schengen area by 2016. Since its independence proclamation on 17 February 2008, Kosova has been excluded from the visa liberation process launched by the EU for Western Balkan countries in 2008, due to the reluctance of a number of Member States to recognise it as a sovereign State. Already in October 2009, the EU Commission, in a policy paper on Kosovo, had outlined a visa-free roadmap, partially dependant on "necessary reforms" in the country.
Below is an article by Express News
Representatives of Kosovo institutions have expressed their optimism that Kosovo citizens will move freely, visa-free in the Schengen zone by 2016.
Kosovo Minister for EU Integration, Bekim Collaku said to Radio Free Europe that the visa liberalization process is a two-way process, while the responsibility for criteria fulfilment lies on state institutions.
Collaku added that the EU Commission's responsibility is to evaluate whether the criteria are fulfilled, in order to recommend visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens.
"The expectations of institutions and citizens are that by 2016 they will travel visa-free to Schengen members, and this has nothing to do with optimism or unfounded expectations, but with our belief that we have managed to fulfil the required criteria and that our work will be positively assessed by EU members and institutions", said Collaku.
Photo Courtesy: Albeu
