Visa free travel for Montenegrin citizens
16.07.2009
The European Commission recommends annulment of visas for citizens of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro as of January 1, 2010, said EC Vice President and Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn at Wednesday's press conference.
"I am pleased to announce the abolishment of short-term visas for citizens of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. This is a historic moment in the relations with Western Balkan countries. Visa liberalization will contribute to closer and more frequent relations of countries' nationals with Schengen zone states", stated Barrot.
He stressed that the decision comes as a result of meeting roadmap conditions within the visa liberalization process presented in the first half of 2008, which required introduction of biometric passports, good border and global migration management, results in the fight against organized crime, corruption, trafficking in humans, as well as respect of human rights.
Barrot said that Macedonia has achieved best results in meeting the criteria, in line with the assessments by European Commission experts.
Euro-Commissioner Rehn stated this is an important day for Western Balkan countries, but also for Europe. He expressed belief that the recommendation would be confirmed by the Council of Ministers in the autumn, following its approval in the European Parliament.
"For the citizens in the Western Balkan this means no more queues in front of embassies and collection of visa documents. They can travel freely and visit relatives and friends in the European Union, students can visit their colleagues, and the same refers to businessmen", added Rehn.
Asked if Greece would create any problems with the biometric passports of Macedonian citizens, the Enlargement Commissioner stated that biometric passports are a sufficient guarantee for EU's security and its borders.
"Our goal is to Europeanize civil societies, while all EU member-states to support this way of thinking. This issue should not be related to others than security and technical conditions for visa annulment in the framework of the visa liberalization dialogue", underlined Rehn.
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