“Today’s decision will move the countries of the Western Balkans and the countries in the European Union closer together in all aspects – enhanced business relations, increased cultural cooperation, more frequent study trips abroad for students. But most importantly it will bring people, and I dare say, not the least young people, together. If today’s decision is the end of an intense process it is also another important step on Serbia’s journey to the future. A journey that finally will lead to membership of the European Union. But like the visa-freedom, membership in the European Union is about hard work. It is about fundamental reform of the Serbian society. Every day Serbia progresses in reforming itself is a victory for the Serbian people. Today we are all together celebrating such a victory,” Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia Krister Bringéus said today.
The new visa free regime will apply to all holders of biometric passports, who can now travel to the Schengen area for up to 90 days. The Schengen area is made up of 28 European countries – the EU Member States except the UK and Ireland, as well as three non-EU members, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Persons who do not hold a biometric passport, who want to travel for more than 90 days or who intend to work in the Schengen area will still need a visa. The same goes for residents of Kosovo holding a Serbian passport issued by the Coordination Directorate in Belgrade.
The European Commission started the visa liberalisation dialogue in early 2008 with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Centrepieces of the dialogue have been the European Commission’s roadmaps, setting out the conditions each country had to meet. The European Commission proposed lifting the visa obligation for the first three countries in July 2009. The European Parliament gave a positive opinion in November 2009.
“Today’s decision in Brussels is another piece of evidence that the EU keeps to its promises and commitments. But the lifting of the visa requirements would not have been possible without the full and dedicated commitment of the Serbian authorities to fulfil the conditions necessary for this positive decision to be taken. We hope that the Serbian authorities will efficiently implement and introduce European standards in other sectors which are crucial for Serbia’s further European integration,” Ambassador Vincent Degert, Head of the EC Delegation to Serbia said today.
Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are not included in today’s decision, as the latest assessment of the Commission showed that they did not yet meet all the conditions. The Commission continues to assist both countries in implementing the necessary reforms. A new evaluation will take place from December 2009 to February 2010. Provided that the countries achieve the necessary progress, the Commission could in the near future propose to also allow visa free travel for these two countries.
