EU visa-free travel for Kosovo enters into force
A long-awaited European Union visa liberalisation scheme allowing Kosovo nationals to travel to Europe's borderless zone without a visa came into force on Jan 1, with the first travellers hailing it as a great relief.
The new regime, which entered into force at midnight (7am Singapore time on Jan 1) enables Kosovars to enter the passport-free Schengen zone without a visa for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The reform is perceived in Pristina as another step towards full recognition and a boost for the ambition of the country that proclaimed independence in 2008 to join the European Union.
"This is a great relief… feels good," businessman Rushit Sopi told AFP before boarding a flight from Pristina to Vienna. He was among 20 winners of a government-organised quiz, which was part of a public awareness campaign about the scheme. The 48-year-old owner of a company manufacturing doors and windows flies almost regularly to the EU for business.
"Each visa cost me €300 (S$437). When I last changed my passport, I calculated that the EU visas alone in it cost me €2,500." European embassies in Pristina, notably those exposed to strong pressure to issue visas, such as the German consulate, had prepared for "no visa D-Day".
German Ambassador Jorn Rohde himself issued the last visas to Kosovars a few days ago, stressing that the visa era was "finally closing". He also invited locals to visit his country for this summer's Euro football championship.
Kosovars had awaited Jan 1 with great enthusiasm, perceiving it as a "historic day" as their country moves closer to the EU, local surveys showed. But they also blamed both Brussels and Pristina for such a long delay in lifting the visa regime.
Kosovo, with a population of 1.8 million, was the last of the six countries in the Western Balkans to receive the waiver. "Until now, Europe has treated us as second-class citizens," said engineer Agim Gosalci, 61.
A 33-year-old translator, Ms Adelina Kasolli, said: "Our politicians are also responsible for such a long wait because one of the conditions for visa liberalisation was the fight against corruption and organised crime."
Meanwhile, Mr Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, hailed what he called the political bloc's "historic decision". "This brings significant benefits to both Kosovo and the EU," he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
With average wages at slightly above €400 and youth unemployment over 20 per cent, Kosovo ranks among Europe's poorest countries. For the past two months, the government in Pristina has been conducting a campaign urging people not to misuse the freedom of travel by looking for jobs in the EU.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti led the campaign himself, travelling throughout the country to explain the benefits of the new regime. "This day is important. A great injustice is being removed, and a great right is being gained," he told the quiz winners at Pristina airport before they flew to Vienna.
Mr Kurti urged Kosovars "to respect the criteria, and wherever we travel, let's not forget that our home is Kosovo".
His deputy in charge of European integration, Dr Besnik Bislimi, warned against the possible abuse of the regime, which could lead to EU restrictive measures that would "harm the entire country".
Many fear that it could also result in even greater labour force shortages. Around 18 per cent of private sector employees will quit their jobs and try to emigrate in 2023, according to the Pristina-based Riinvest Institute. Mr Sopi's business could also feel the impact, but on Jan 1 he was focused more on Vienna, where he was taking his wife, who had never travelled to an EU country.
"The decision (to lift visas) is more than welcome," his wife Valdete said. "We have family in Germany and Switzerland, and it was time to visit them."
The new regime, which entered into force at midnight (7am Singapore time on Jan 1) enables Kosovars to enter the passport-free Schengen zone without a visa for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The reform is perceived in Pristina as another step towards full recognition and a boost for the ambition of the country that proclaimed independence in 2008 to join the European Union.
"This is a great relief… feels good," businessman Rushit Sopi told AFP before boarding a flight from Pristina to Vienna. He was among 20 winners of a government-organised quiz, which was part of a public awareness campaign about the scheme. The 48-year-old owner of a company manufacturing doors and windows flies almost regularly to the EU for business.
"Each visa cost me €300 (S$437). When I last changed my passport, I calculated that the EU visas alone in it cost me €2,500." European embassies in Pristina, notably those exposed to strong pressure to issue visas, such as the German consulate, had prepared for "no visa D-Day".
German Ambassador Jorn Rohde himself issued the last visas to Kosovars a few days ago, stressing that the visa era was "finally closing". He also invited locals to visit his country for this summer's Euro football championship.
Kosovars had awaited Jan 1 with great enthusiasm, perceiving it as a "historic day" as their country moves closer to the EU, local surveys showed. But they also blamed both Brussels and Pristina for such a long delay in lifting the visa regime.
Kosovo, with a population of 1.8 million, was the last of the six countries in the Western Balkans to receive the waiver. "Until now, Europe has treated us as second-class citizens," said engineer Agim Gosalci, 61.
A 33-year-old translator, Ms Adelina Kasolli, said: "Our politicians are also responsible for such a long wait because one of the conditions for visa liberalisation was the fight against corruption and organised crime."
Meanwhile, Mr Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, hailed what he called the political bloc's "historic decision". "This brings significant benefits to both Kosovo and the EU," he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
With average wages at slightly above €400 and youth unemployment over 20 per cent, Kosovo ranks among Europe's poorest countries. For the past two months, the government in Pristina has been conducting a campaign urging people not to misuse the freedom of travel by looking for jobs in the EU.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti led the campaign himself, travelling throughout the country to explain the benefits of the new regime. "This day is important. A great injustice is being removed, and a great right is being gained," he told the quiz winners at Pristina airport before they flew to Vienna.
Mr Kurti urged Kosovars "to respect the criteria, and wherever we travel, let's not forget that our home is Kosovo".
His deputy in charge of European integration, Dr Besnik Bislimi, warned against the possible abuse of the regime, which could lead to EU restrictive measures that would "harm the entire country".
Many fear that it could also result in even greater labour force shortages. Around 18 per cent of private sector employees will quit their jobs and try to emigrate in 2023, according to the Pristina-based Riinvest Institute. Mr Sopi's business could also feel the impact, but on Jan 1 he was focused more on Vienna, where he was taking his wife, who had never travelled to an EU country.
"The decision (to lift visas) is more than welcome," his wife Valdete said. "We have family in Germany and Switzerland, and it was time to visit them."
Source: dailyasianage.com
