Prishtina – The European Commission proposed to the Council of Europe and European Parliament to lift the visa regime for Kosova citizens who want to travel to the Schengen area. The proposition was made together with a positive report of the Commission, which confirms that Kosova has fulfilled the criteria for the visa liberalization.

The news was given first by the Minister of European Integration in Kosova, Bekim Collaku, who confirmed the recommendation through a declaration on Facebook.

The EU Commissioner for Migration, Internal Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said in Brussels that the Commission proposes visa free travel in the EU for the Kosova citizens who own biometric passports. Avramopoulos said he will visit Prishtina this Thursday. A solemn session will be held at the Kosova Parliament.

Today’s progress report of the Commission confirmed that Kosova has fulfilled all criteria for the visa liberalization, which means that Kosova will have ratified the agreement for the border with Montenegro and will have reinforced the fight against organized crime and corruption.

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, congratulated the Kosovo citizens and said this is how the reforms are rewarded.

Kosova Prime Minister Mustafa said in a press release in Prishtina that the decision was based on merit.

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, congratulated Kosova for this achievement which arrived just after the other good news about the UEFA accession.