Brussels, 12/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 12 November, MEPs voted by a massive majority (550 votes for, 51 against, with 37 abstentions) in favour of a consultation report calling for the scrapping as from 19 December next, of the obligation of short stay visas for citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Yugoslavia (FYROM). The rapporteur, Tanja Fajon (S&D, Slovenia), indicated that “this is extremely good news for Western Balkan nationals”. The final decision on the lifting of visas is due to be adopted by the Council of Ministers of the EU on 30 November and its implementation is expected as from 19 December for citizens from these countries, explained Ms Fajon, in a reference to a declaration from the Council of the EU, Commission and Parliament. Visa waivers are also expected for Bosnia and Albania, as soon as these two countries have adopted the necessary reforms. Albania and Bosnia, however, still have an effort to make before calling for short stay visas to be scrapped, explained MEPs, who requested that the European Commission publish a report on their progress at the beginning of 2010. Ms Fajon, however, welcomed the “breakthrough” by these two countries in the direction towards liberalisation of the visa system. MEPs want Albania and Bosnia to be added to the list of visa-exempted countries (Annex II of the proposal), although there is a footnote stipulating that this exemption will only take effect after a positive evaluation of the European Commission's reference criteria and in compliance with the procedures laid down in the treaty. The two countries temporarily remain in Annex I (countries whose citizens require a visa). Although no commitment has been made on this occasion by the Council and Parliament, the rapporteur hopes that Albanian and Bosnian citizens will be able to benefit from visa liberalisation as from July next year. Nonetheless, she did point out that it was up to the authorities in these two countries to do what was needed to fulfil the criteria, particularly with regard to the introduction of biometric passports, improved border and police controls and the fight against corruption and crime. MEPs are calling on the Commission to begin a dialogue with Kosovo in order to establish a roadmap on scrapping visas. (B.C./transl.rh)