Balkans | Serbia responds to the European Union’s decision to liberalize visas with Kosovo

Serbia’s Foreign Minister, Ivica Dacic, responded to the European Parliament’s approval of the decision to grant visa-free travel to the European Union (EU) for Kosovo passport holders.

In the program in which he participated in the local TV channel broadcasting in Serbia, Dacic evaluated the European Parliament’s decision to grant visa-free travel to the EU to Kosovo passport holders.

Dacic expressed that he did not oppose the liberalization of visas for Kosovo, but they did not find the period in which the decision was made correct, and Dacic indicated that the decision made in this period was a “prize”.

Arguing that Kosovo does not meet any conditions for visa liberalization, Dacic said that the first of these conditions is the establishment of the Federation of Serbian Municipalities in Kosovo.

When asked if it would be beneficial for Serbia to have a dialogue with the Kosovo authorities, mediated by the European Union, Dacic replied, “If we can draw a line, I think it is beneficial for Serbia to participate in the dialogue.” answered.

EU decision to liberalize visas with Kosovo

“Kosovo nationals and EU nationals will be allowed to travel to Kosovo without the need for a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period,” said the statement written after the vote in the General Assembly of the European Parliament yesterday. Information has been provided.

Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 is not currently recognized by 5 EU members, namely Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the Greek Cypriot administration.

Kosovo submitted an official application for EU membership in December 2022.

Serbia and Kosovo, which clash periodically, are trying to find a common way to normalize relations, and eventually the two countries get to know each other, within the scope of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process initiated in 2011 with the mediation of the European Union.

AA