PRISTINA, June 30/ATA/- Kosovo opposes every additional roadmap or re-assessment of the criteria for gaining the visa liberalization. In an interview with KosovaPress, President Vjosa Osmani stated that she has made it clear to all representatives of the European Union that Kosovo will not be part of any initiative that would prolong the process of free movement of the citizens.
Osmani said that Kosovo has met all the conditions, emphasizing that the decision on visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens has been delayed.
“We want to be treated the same like other countries. It has never happened in the history of the European Union to set a second roadmap, consequently new criteria, or re-evaluation of the criteria from the beginning. Therefore, it is necessary that we oppose such an approach”, said President Osmani.
The president said she has already received a response from most European Union officials that there is no intention for additional criteria.
However, Osmani said it is necessary to work with member states for them to reject initiatives for new roadmaps.
Last week, the President of Kosovo participated in the EU-Western Balkans Summit where she stressed the need for visa liberalization for the citizens of Kosovo, as the only country that still does not enjoy free movement despite meeting the criteria.
During the debate that took place on Monday in the European Parliament, the European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhely warned of additional roadmaps for visa liberalization for Kosovo.
On Tuesday, the European Commission said that they do not plan anything like that and they continue to defend the stance that Kosovo has met the conditions for the free movement of the citizens in European Union countries./KosovaPress/p.s./
