09/04/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 9 April, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties backed visa-free travel for Kosovo Serbs by 34 votes to 7, with 12 abstentions. The aim is to exempt Kosovo Serbs holding passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate from visa requirements for stays in the EU of up to 90 days. “This ensures that the entire Western Balkans region has the same visa regime on travel to the EU”, according to a European Parliament press release. “Extending EU visa liberalisation to Serbian residents of Kosovo is important to prevent discrimination against these citizens, who risk being treated differently than other residents of the Western Balkans”, according to Slovenian rapporteur Matjaž Nemec (S&D). The report will be submitted during the plenary session from 22 to 25 April. Link: https://aeur.eu/f/bnv (SP)