Brussels, 24/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is likely to be able to announce the removal of short-stay visas for Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina very soon, allowing the citizens of these countries to travel freely throughout the Schengen area with only a biometric passport. Last week, the European Commission sent the Member States and the European Parliament its assessment report on the progress made by both countries concerning the criteria to be met in order to put an end to visa requirements. The Commission takes the view that these criteria - mainly the fight against crime and corruption - will have been met in full by the time the Council gives its final green light. At the Justice and Home Affairs Council to be held in Luxembourg on 7-8 October, the Member States of the EU will give their agreement in principle to the lifting of the visa requirement for the countries, although their formal decision will have to wait until the next Council, on 8 and 9 November. For its part, the committee on civil liberties of the European Parliament will take position on Monday 27 September, so that it can prepare for the vote at its plenary session on 7 October. Nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania will then be able to benefit from the removal of the visa regime from late December or early January. They will join their neighbours from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro and Serbia, who have already enjoyed a preferential visa regime since late 2009. (B.C./trans.fl)