TIRANA, July 10 /ATA/ – The European Commission published on Friday a report assessing compliance with visa liberalization requirements from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, as well as Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
The report concluded that the countries in question continue to meet visa liberalization requirements, and that visa-free travel continues to bring positive economic, social and cultural benefits to EU member states and partner countries.
The report focuses in detail on specific areas of security and migration where further action is required.
Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said, “Visa liberalization fosters contact between people and strengthens ties between the EU and the citizens of the Western Balkans. “Over the years, we have seen significant progress from partners.”
The report confirms that Albania continues to meet visa liberalization requirements, emphasizing that “implementation of actions to address irregular migration, including strengthening border controls, has seen progress.”
The report also highlights the Netherlands’ request for a visa suspension for Albania, stressing that “the Commission deemed that the conditions to trigger the visa suspension mechanism are not met.”
Regarding the phenomenon of asylum seekers, the report states that the number of unfounded asylum applications has dropped in the last 4 years, marking a decrease of 5% in 2019.
Also, the reports appreciates the reforms and measures taken by Albanian govt. in the fight against corruption, organized crime and terrorism as was the approval of Normative Act against Catch what You can.
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