JensVandeBeek
19.01.2012, 16:22
EU starts visa talks with Kosovo
Cecilia Malmström, the European commissioner for home affairs, has launched talks that could lead to the lifting of EU visa requirements for citizens of Kosovo.
Kosovo is the only country in the western Balkans whose citizens still need visas for short-term visits to the EU's Schengen area of borderless travel.
On a two-day visit to Kosovo today and tomorrow (19-20 January), Malmström will meet Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and other officials to discuss the specifics of the process.
“Our commitment to visa liberalisation for the citizens of Kosovo is real, and I am very pleased that we can now start making concrete progress towards this goal,” Malmström said. “I know how important visa-free travel is to the citizens of Kosovo and I'm happy that we've now set the ball rolling.”
But Malmström also warned Kosovars against unrealistic expectations. “Whether and how soon citizens obtain the privilege of visa-free travel will nevertheless depend entirely on the government of Kosovo's continuing efforts to implement reforms in the rule of law area and on concrete progress made on the ground,” she said.
...
„Wir haben die feste Absicht, die Visumpflicht für das Kosovo abzuschaffen, und können jetzt mit der konkreten Umsetzung beginnen. Ich weiß, wie wichtig es für die Bürger des Kosovo ist, visumfrei reisen zu können, und freue mich, dass der erste Schritt nun getan ist. Ob und wie schnell wir unser Ziel erreichen, hängt jedoch allein davon ab, dass die kosovarische Regierung ihre Reformbemühungen in puncto Rechtsstaatlichkeit fortsetzt und dabei konkrete Fortschritte erreicht werden.", so Cecilia Malmström.
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2012/january/eu-starts-visa-talks-with-kosovo/73279.aspx
http://derstandard.at/1326503117744/Visa-Dialog-mit-der-EU-startet
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/32&format=HTML&aged=0&language=DE&guiLanguage=en
Cecilia Malmström, the European commissioner for home affairs, has launched talks that could lead to the lifting of EU visa requirements for citizens of Kosovo.
Kosovo is the only country in the western Balkans whose citizens still need visas for short-term visits to the EU's Schengen area of borderless travel.
On a two-day visit to Kosovo today and tomorrow (19-20 January), Malmström will meet Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and other officials to discuss the specifics of the process.
“Our commitment to visa liberalisation for the citizens of Kosovo is real, and I am very pleased that we can now start making concrete progress towards this goal,” Malmström said. “I know how important visa-free travel is to the citizens of Kosovo and I'm happy that we've now set the ball rolling.”
But Malmström also warned Kosovars against unrealistic expectations. “Whether and how soon citizens obtain the privilege of visa-free travel will nevertheless depend entirely on the government of Kosovo's continuing efforts to implement reforms in the rule of law area and on concrete progress made on the ground,” she said.
...
„Wir haben die feste Absicht, die Visumpflicht für das Kosovo abzuschaffen, und können jetzt mit der konkreten Umsetzung beginnen. Ich weiß, wie wichtig es für die Bürger des Kosovo ist, visumfrei reisen zu können, und freue mich, dass der erste Schritt nun getan ist. Ob und wie schnell wir unser Ziel erreichen, hängt jedoch allein davon ab, dass die kosovarische Regierung ihre Reformbemühungen in puncto Rechtsstaatlichkeit fortsetzt und dabei konkrete Fortschritte erreicht werden.", so Cecilia Malmström.
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2012/january/eu-starts-visa-talks-with-kosovo/73279.aspx
http://derstandard.at/1326503117744/Visa-Dialog-mit-der-EU-startet
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/32&format=HTML&aged=0&language=DE&guiLanguage=en