The Government of Kosovo expressed its disappointment after the European Union’s decision to cancel visas for Serbs living in Kosovo.
Klisman Kadiu, adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, told the Kosovo Telegraph that they are disappointed with the EU’s decision and that the Serbian passport issued by Serbia is still illegal.
“We express disappointment with the European Union’s decision to liberalize visas for holders of illegal passports issued by the Serbian authorities, for Serbian citizens of Kosovo. Any decision of the European Union does not cancel the fact that these passports remain illegal, in complete violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country. and therefore unacceptable for the Republic of Kosovo. Our authorities will continue to not recognize these passports,” Kadiu said.
Furthermore, Kadiu said that “every citizen of the country, from every community, has the full right to use free movement without visas, through the passport of the Republic of Kosovo”.
“Therefore, the justification used that the owners of these illegal passports will remain isolated is incorrect and contrary to reality. Also, the haste shown in making this decision is inexplicable, without checking the facts on the ground, without analyzing the implications that can and will lead to the implementation of the decision, and without consultation with the institutions of our country from the beginning,” emphasized.
Also, Kadiu said that today’s decision harms the previous efforts for the integration of the Serbian community in Kosovo.
“The Republic of Kosovo implements policies in various areas, which bring citizens closer to the institutions, and with the liberalization of visas for Kosovo, there has been a significant and tangible increase in the number of citizens of the Serbian community who are equipped and whether they are equipped with documents of our Republic,” he said, among other things.
Today, the European Council made a decision to abolish the visa regime for Serbian citizens of Kosovo who hold Serbian passports.
The announcement states that the decision was made at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
“The Council made a decision ensuring that the entire region of the Western Balkans is subject to the same visa regime, thereby canceling the exemption that was previously applied to holders of Serbian passports issued by the Coordination Directorate of Serbia,” the statement said.
A few months ago, the Commission for Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs of the European Parliament approved a report on the liberalization of visas for holders of Serbian passports living in Kosovo, Klix.ba writes.
