On Wednesday 30 November, Member States approved the negotiating mandate of the Council of the European Union on a regulation on visa-free travel for holders of passports issued by Kosovo.
On the basis of this mandate, the Presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament. “Visa liberalisation was made possible by Kosovo’s efforts to strengthen its border controls, migration management and security, and we are convinced that this good cooperation will only increase in the future”, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said in a statement.
The plan would allow Kosovar passport holders to travel to the EU without a visa for a period of stay of 90 days within a 180-day period.
“The visa waiver would apply from the date of the start of operation of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), and in any case no later than 1 January 2024”.
Moreover, this decision does not imply recognition of the country. The EU Council states that the decision is “without prejudice to the positions on status and is in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244/1999 and the opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo’s declaration of independence”. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)