In a televised interview, Janina emphasized that free movement is one of the fundamental principles guaranteed by the EU and as such there are safeguards in place to make sure this right is not infringed in any aspect or circumstance.

“Neither the Czech Republic as the next president of the EU Council nor any other member country have filed any request to suspend the free movement of citizens. There is no request either about Albania or about any other country in the Western Balkans,” she said.

Janina emphasized that it is true that there is a growing concern in recent days about an increased number of illegal immigrants who travel through the so-called Balkan route, but regarding this concern Albania does not bear the main burden of responsibility and this cannot in itself lead to invoking such a drastic mechanism as is the suspension of the free movement of citizens in the Schengen area.

“This is what we have perceived from daily communications with representatives of European Union countries, but also of the Czech Presidency,” said Janina.
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