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Kosovo is not formally part of the visa liberalization process. However, the Government of Kosovo has adopted a guide similar to the countries of the region in order to meet the criteria for visa-free movement of Kosovars within the Schengen area.
Political aspect of the visa-free travel for Kosovars has been completed in October 2009 when the EU Council, recommended to the European Commission to include Kosovo in this process.
Currently, Kosovo’s institutions have adopted targets based on 8 objectives to fulfill 50 technical criteria for visa liberalization with the European Union.
Besnik Vasolli, adviser to the Ministry of Internal Affairs said that the Kosovo Government is currently discussing with the European Commission the guide for the visa liberalization process.
Vasolli said that currently, there are two suggestions of the European Commission for Kosovo: the adoption of law for repatriation and law for reintegration of refugees.
The removal of visas for Kosovars to travel to EU countries is considered an important step for free movement of citizens, goods and services. According to experts, the removal of visa affects the growth of commercial exchanges between the EU and Kosovo, and encourages economic development.
ECIKS