Brussels, 28/04/2008 (Agence Europe) -During his visit to Belgrade on 7 May, Vice President of the European Commission Jacques Barrot is to present a roadmap designed to lead to the eventual abolition of the visa obligation for Serbian citizens wishing to enter the Schengen zone. The Commission's expectations, which are listed within this roadmap, include the following: using biometric tools to increase the security of identity documents, the fight against illegal immigration, police cooperation and relations with neighbouring countries, such as Kosovo. However, it will still take a considerable amount of time for Serbia to join the "white list" of countries whose nationals can move freely within the Schengen zone. The Commission decided, at the end of January this year, to start talks with Serbia with a view to creating a visa-free system (EUROPE 9583). However, concrete negotiations have still not started, as the Commission has no mandate to do so as yet. Since 1 January 2008, readmission facilitation agreements on visas entered into force between the EU and Serbia (EUROPE 9572). The Commission and the Slovenian Presidency of the EU called on the member states in mid-April to make more efforts to reduce the cost of visas for citizens of the Western Balkans, particularly the Serbs (EUROPE 9648). (B.C.)