The former RTK Belgrade-based correspondent, Fahri Musliu, writes in an opinion piece that the lack of visa liberalization is the main cause of the recent irregular migration of Kosovo people towards European Union (EU). Musliu writes that the EU is responsible for Kosovo people taking the “route through hell”, spending their money and putting their life in danger in order to seek a better future in the EU. The author writes that the situation is alarming and requires urgent solutions.

Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs Skender Hyseni said that all those who have irregularly migrated to Europe will be returned to Kosovo while the government is very limited in funds to help those returning. Hyseni said he had many meetings with counterparts from different European countries, all of whom stressed that their respective countries will not be granting asylum status to the people from Kosovo. He said the irregular migration is an adventure whose near end will only result in making people even poorer.

Sweden’s Parliament Speaker, Urban Ahlin, said after meeting Kosovo Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli that Sweden supports visa liberalization for Kosovo. Ahlin said this only this year, around 50,000 people from Kosovo have requested asylum in Sweden and added that this influx will harm visa liberalization. He however pledged Sweden’s support on Kosovo’s efforts to gain visa liberalization for Europe.

Kosovo’s Minister of European Integration, Bekim Collaku, received today a delegation of Baden-Württemberg region of Germany, headed by ministers Silke Krebs and Peter Friedrich, and accompanied by German Ambassador in Pristina, Angelika Viets.The ministers discussed the latest developments in Kosovo, the European agenda and the issue of irregular migration of people of Kosovo in Germany.

The European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, during his visit to Pristina on Wednesday had separate meetings with Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli. In a joint press conference with PM Mustafa, Hahn said that the Pristina – Belgrade dialogue is vital for Kosovo’s European future, and that there is still work to be done in regards to visa liberalization.

Kosovo’s Minister of European Integration, Bekim Collaku, told Radio Kosova that the growing trend of irregular migration might have indirect consequences on European Union’s (EU) decision-making on visa liberalization. “Naturally, irregular migration can cause panic and dissatisfaction among member states of the EU when it comes time to take a decision for Kosovo. We [the government of Kosovo] are alarmed and we are undertaking all appropriate actions to address this issue,” said Collaku.

The European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, said on Monday in Brussels that the people of Kosovo are leaving because of the economic situation, and called on Kosovo institutions to create conditions for economic development, which, according to him, would prevent irregular migration.  Hahn said that at the moment, he doesn't know what could be the impact of the large number of asylum seekers on the visa liberalization process.

Serbia will strengthen the control of requests for the Serbian passports, particularly of those people who are trying to reach foreign countries with Serbian passports, learned Danas in the Government of Serbia. As said, Serbia probably will not issue the passport to all Albanians from Kosovo who request it. As explained, the reason for this is that if the Albanians would massively leave the country with the Serbian passports might be compromised visa liberalization of Serbia.

Prime Minister Isa Mustafa said that Kosovo will be granted visa liberalization regime during 2015. In a meeting of the steering committee on visa liberalization, Mustafa reaffirmed that the issue remains a priority for the government of Kosovo. “Among other things, this process also depends on our engagement and dynamics in implementing the remaining criteria regarding the negotiation and signing of repatriation agreements with certain countries,” said PM Mustafa.

The Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Andreas Ferrarese, told RTK that Kosovo people that are fleeing the country are victims of criminal organizations that promise future in the European Union countries. Ferrerase said that irregular migration is not the solution to the economic situation that Kosovo is currently. According to him, Kosovo people “should stay in Kosovo and build their country.” Ferrerase added that irregular migration hinders the visa liberalization process for Kosovo.