Kosovars will be able to move without visas within 2016. This is official already. The news was confirmed by the Minister for European Integration, Bekim Collaku, who received information from European officials.

Now only technical procedures which are expected to be fulfilled within a few weeks, remain. Be as it may, today will be a marked day. The 4^th of May is the day when Kosovo gains positive recommendation for liberalization of visas for Schengen zone. This is Collaku’s posting on Facebook:

WITHOUT VISAS – 2016

We finally managed to fulfill another goal for Kosovo. I congratulate all from my heart for today’s proposal of the European Commission to liberate visas for the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo.

This is another historical day in the process of the European integration. The European horizon is opening in front of Kosovars from today. This decision is the result and confirmation of the successful fulfillment of the guideline criteria, result of the joint work of the government, Assembly and independent institutions.

We remain determined to lead this process until the end. The decision of the European Commission only strengthens more my conviction that the citizens of Kosovo will travel without visas during this year. Therefore, being completely aware of its importance for each of us, we will work maximally for this day to come as soon as possible. But today, we all have reason to feel proud and happy because our isolation remains only a bitter memory of the past.