European Forum

Bosnia and Albania come one step closer to visa-free travel

Yesterday (27 May) the European Commission proposed that members of the Schengen travel area should lift visa requirements for citizens from Bosnia and Albania, if they meet certain criteria. Cecilia Malmström, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, said that the two countries had delivered “good results” in meeting conditions for visa-free travel. “Granting visa-free travel is a cornerstone of the EU's integration policy for the Western Balkans,” she said.

But Malmström added that lifting of the visa requirements could only be finalised if the two countries passed a review that will be carried out by EU experts in the summer, to make sure they have met all the necessary conditions, and the proposal is approved by the European Parliament and member states. The waiver on visa requirements would apply only to citizens who have biometric passports. “I am quite optimistic that sometime in the autumn we can get a decision, providing the two countries do what they have to do,” said Malmström.

The Commission said Albania still had to adopt a policy to strengthen its fight against organised crime and corruption, and implement laws to confiscate assets taken from criminal gangs. 

Bosnia still had to prove it was effectively implementing laws to combat organised crime and corruption, the Commission said. The country also had to set up a system to exchange electronic data between police and prosecution bodies, and harmonise regional criminal codes with those at state level. 

The recommendation on lifting the visas is expected to be reviewed by MEPs and member states in September and could be approved in December, a year after visa requirements were lifted for citizens of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro.

Sources: European Voice; Balkan Insight