Brussels, 16/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is expected to submit a proposal to the EU Council of Ministers by mid-July to abolish the visa regime for three Balkan countries - the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro - with effect from 1 January 2010. The proposal will amend regulation 539/2001 which sets the list of third countries whose nationals do not need a visa to enter EU member states. On Monday 15 June, EU foreign ministers, deeming that the visa regime with those Balkan countries that meet the conditions should be liberalised by the end of 2009, called for the Commission to bring forward a proposal as quickly as possible. It will be for the EU Council, co-deciding with the European Parliament, to take the final decision on abolishing the visa regime. Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina will have to wait since neither has met any of the necessary criteria (see EUROPE 9908). (B.C./transl.rt)