Kosovo to issue new passports

Prishtinë, 14 July 2008 – Fisnik Rexhepi, the political adviser to the interior minister of the Republic of Kosovo, said in a press conference today that all the initial procedures for providing passports to the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo are finalized. New passports are expected to be issued starting from next week.

“We have finalized all the important preparations to issue the passports of the Republic of Kosovo. Interior Minister Pajaziti has signed an agreement that regulates all civil documentation,” said the advisor of the minister of interior.

The rules in getting the new passport are almost similar to the travel document, and all citizens of Kosovo can get one. The ministry has also contracted a French company to produce personal identifications cards and driver license cards and their distribution will start in September.

The printing and coding technology being used is more advanced than previously. The application fee has been reduced to 25 euros from 35 and the validity is now five years for citizens under 27 and 10 years for those older than 27.

Although of high security standards, because of the high cost, the security chip was not employed in these documents, which is required by European standards.

ECIKS / Source: New Kosova Report