In an interview for European Interest, the European MP, Igor Stoltes, declared that Kosovo is the only country in Western Balkans still under the visa regime, although it has fulfilled the conditions set by the European Commission.
“Kosovo is the only country in Western Balkans where visa requirements still exist. Kosovo fulfilled the two important conditions issued by the European Commission, the fight against corruption and the organised crime and second the border demarcation with Montenegro. The second was a sensitive issue. And then as I said nothing happened. And now people in Kosovo feel disappointed, they believe that the country doesn’t deserve this. This is to give you an example of how problematic it can become when you promise something, and you don’t keep your promise. We in the European Parliament and also the Commission have a positive position, but the final decision is up to the European Council. We are talking only about the visa liberalisation which will help not only Kosovo but the entire region to avoid isolation”, Stoltes said.
As for Kosovo’s decision to create its own army, Stoltes replied: “There are many difficult issues here. The creation of Kosovo opened many chapters. But this a test for the EU to see how much it understands the Balkans. Because Bosnia Herzegovina represents also a problem since it is a country with a specific regime and the Bosnian nationalism is on the rise. In Bosnia Herzegovina, there are the national communities but around them exists also the civil society. To recognise the country as a civil society is the only solution for the future”.
Source: europeaninterest.eu
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