Tanja Fajon, visa liberalization rapporteur for Kosovo, did not comment on political leaders’ promises during the election campaign that visa liberalization would take place within three or six months after the new government is formed.

In an email response to EkonomiaOnline, Fajon reiterated that the lifting of the visa regime is in the hands of the Kosovo authorities.

The impetus must come from them, Fajon said, adding that the criteria is clear and that the European Union and the European Parliament institutions are willing to provide the necessary support.

“I am closely following the developments of the election campaign in Kosovo. The citizens of Kosovo should choose what they believe is best for them and, most importantly, I hope that the new leaders will serve the interests of the citizens, setting aside their political goals,” said Fajon.

The European Commission has already issued a formal recommendation for the abolition of visas for Kosovo, but with two additional conditions, demarcation with Montenegro and the fight against organized crime and corruption.

After the institutions of Kosovo meet these conditions, the Council of the European Union, where the interior ministers of the member countries decide with a qualified majority, must say yes to liberalization. The same should be done by the European Parliament.

Once the proposal is approved by the Council and the European Parliament, Kosovars with biometric passports will no longer need visas when traveling for short stays of up to 90 days in EU member states (excluding Ireland and the UK, as well as four Schengen associated countries which are: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).