Augustin Palokaj writes in his weekly column for the paper that while the news of visa liberalization for Kosovo is good, it should be received with caution as it is difficult to give an exact estimate of when the visa regime will actually be lifted. According to Palokaj, on one hand, there is no predictability and stability within the EU on anything and on the other hand, apart from the 90 criteria that Kosovo had to fulfill from the visa liberalization roadmap, two adEUditional ones were added to the list by the European Commission. Of these two extra conditions, one relates to stepping up the fight against corruption and organised crime, while the second, in Palokaj’s view, is entirely political in nature and pertains to the ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. Palokaj points out that none of the countries from former Yugoslavia have entirely finalized the border demarcation process with neighbouring countries and none of them was told that this was a precondition to EU visa-free regime. They were only asked to commit to resolve all disagreements through political and peaceful means. Furthermore, Kosovo was asked to ratify an agreement on something which the EU still has no clear position on, whether it is a “border” or “administrative boundary line”, writes Palokaj. Nevertheless, this is of minor significance compared to the fact that such a condition was never supposed to have been imposed as a condition for visa liberalization, he says. “It is difficult to believe that the Government of Kosovo would be as destructive as to request itself this condition from the EU. But it is obvious that this conditions is used as a gateway for the Government and a pressure tool for the opposition”, writes Palokaj.
Border demarcation would not have to be related to visas (Koha Ditore)
- Published: 8 years ago on 16/05/2016
- By: OSPI-rq
- Last Modified: May 16, 2016 @ 1:48 pm
- Filed Under: Opinions
- Tagged With: Augustin Palokaj, border demarcation, EU, former Yugoslavia, Koha Ditore, Kosovo, visa liberalization
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