UPDATE - EU lawmakers approve visa liberalization with Kosovo

UPDATES WITH REACTIONS OF KOSOVO LEADERS

By Agnes Szucs and Talha Ozturk

BRUSSELS (AA) — The European Parliament on Tuesday approved visa liberalization with Kosovo, the EU institution announced in a statement.

"Citizens of Kosovo will be allowed to travel to the EU, and EU citizens to go to Kosovo, without requesting a visa, for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period," the statement explained.

The new rules will enter into force once the bloc's new electronic visitor system, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), goes fully operational or by Jan. 1, 2024 the latest.

With the approval for Kosovo, the same travel requirements will be applied in the Schengen area for all visitors from the Western Balkans, a region the EU is trying maintain strong ties with.

The decision "enables the people of Kosovo to easily travel, visit relatives and do business in the EU," said Dutch EU lawmaker Thijs Reuten, the issue's rapporteur.

He stressed the visa liberalization is a "milestone" that paves the way "for the future and ever-closer cooperation between the EU and Kosovo."

The European Parliament's endorsement completes the visa liberalization process with Kosovo as EU ministers in charge of home affairs gave the green light in March.

The decision was welcomed by the highest ranking Kosovo leaders, with President Vjosa Osmani saying it was a victory not just for the country, but also for democracy and unity in Europe.

"Now moving to European countries is easier, our families are closer and the opportunities for advancement and cooperation are greater," Osmani said on social media.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that the European Parliament's decision would also make the EU wealthier.

"This is one important step in our approach to the European Union and contributes to the wealth that the EU offers," Kurti said on Twitter, thanking the European Parliament for its support.

Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz said this was a day of joy for Kosovo and the EU.

"The EP (European Parliament) has been with us every step of the way over the years. Today I thanked the main members of the EP for their decisive support," she said.

The decision on visa liberalization was also welcomed by opposition party leaders.

Besnik Bislimi, Kosovo's first vice-president, will attend the official signing of the measure on Wednesday by European Parliament representatives and the Council of the European Union in Strasbourg.

The decision will be published in the Official Gazette and go into effect 20 days later.

Kosovo is the only country in the Western Balkans with which teh EU has not liberalized visa rules.