Kosovo PM criticizes EU visa liberalization for Kosovo Serbs
Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti poses for a picture during an interview with Reuters at his office in Pristina, Kosovo August 10, 2022. (Reuters Photo)
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Tuesday sharply criticized the European Union’s decision to liberalize visa requirements for Kosovo Serbs in the Schengen area, calling the move “unfair, harmful and discouraging.”
“We consider this unfair, harmful, and also discouraging. The Republic of Kosovo has strengthened its passport more than ever, but we do not have many opportunities to influence Brussels’ decisions,” Kurti stated in response to a press question following an event in Pristina.
The Council of the European Union adopted a regulation on Monday that removes the visa requirement for holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate. The regulation will take effect upon its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
Ethnic Serbs with passports issued by Serbia’s Directorate for Kosovo are now able to cross the external borders of EU member states without a visa. This change affects approximately 18,000 Serbian residents of Kosovo who hold these specific passports, allowing them visa-free travel to the European Union.
The move is aimed at ensuring all Western Balkan residents are subject to the same visa regime. Serbian citizens with biometric passports have been exempt from visa requirements since 2009, but this exemption did not previously apply to passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate for Kosovo in Belgrade. The European Commission proposed the change in 2023.
Meanwhile, Kosovo citizens have been able to travel visa-free through the Schengen zone since January 2024. However, this does not apply to those whose passports are issued by Serbia’s directorate for Kosovo.
