Osmani: The removal of visas for holders of Serbian passports has a negative impact

2024-07-24 11:30:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Osmani: The removal of visas for holders of Serbian passports has a negative

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani. Source, AP

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said that the decision of the Council of the European Union to revoke the visas of the citizens of Kosovo who possess illegal Serbian passports, "negatively affects the extent of the rule of law throughout Kosovo".

According to her, this decision also attacks the efforts for the integration of the Serbian community in Kosovo.

Osmani said that he made these comments in a meeting on Tuesday with the ambassador of the United States of America in Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier.

According to the announcement, the meeting also discussed other topics, including: the participation of the president in the activities within the framework of the NATO Summit and a series of legal initiatives that are being handled by the institutions of Kosovo.

On July 22, the European Union's foreign ministers took the decision to lift the visa regime for citizens of Kosovo who hold Serbian passports, issued by the Coordinating Directorate of Serbia.

The decision is expected to enter into force on the 20th day after publication in the Official Gazette of the EU.

Kosovo Serbs, who hold passports issued by the Coordinating Directorate of Serbia, are currently the only citizens of the Western Balkans who need visas to travel to the free movement area, Schengen.

Kosovo does not recognize the passports of this mechanism that operates within the Serbian Ministry of the Interior in Belgrade, and their holders cannot fly with them from Pristina Airport.

The EU's decision was also criticized by the prime minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, calling it "unfair and harmful".

Authorities in Kosovo encourage Serbian citizens to obtain Kosovo passports.

Citizens with biometric passports of Kosovo enjoy the liberalization of visas from January 1 of this year./ REL