(ANSA-AFP) - TRIESTE, 01 GEN - A long-awaited European
Union's visa liberalisation scheme allowing Kosovo nationals to
travel to Europe's borderless zone without a visa came into
force on Monday with the first travellers hailing it as a great
relief. The new regime, which entered into force at midnight
(2300 GMT Sunday), enables Kosovars into the passport-free
Schengen zone without a visa for periods of up to 90 days in any
180-day period.
The reform is perceived in Pristina as another step towards
full recognition and a boost for the ambition of the country
that proclaimed independence in 2008 to join the European Union.
"This is a great relief ... feels good," businessman Rushit
Sopi told AFP before boarding a Pristina-Vienna flight. He was
among 20 winners of a quiz organised by the government within a
public awareness campaign over the scheme. The 48-year-old owner
of a company manufacturing doors and windows flying almost
regularly to the EU for business. "Each visa cost me 300 euros
($331). When I last changed my passport, I calculated that the
EU visas alone in it cost me 2,500 euros." European embassies in
Pristina, notably those exposed to strong pressure to issue
visas, such as the German consulate, had prepared for no visa
D-Day. German ambassador Jorn Rohde himself issued the last
visas to Kosovars a few days ago stressing that the visa era was
"finally closing". He also invited locals to visit his country
for this summer's Euro football championship.
- 'Second-class citizens' -
Kosovars had awaited January 1 with great enthusiasm perceiving
it as a "historic day" as their country moves closer to the EU,
local surveys showed. But they also blamed both Brussels and
Pristina for such a long delay in lifting the visa regime.
Kosovo, population 1.8 million, was the last of the six
countries in the Western Balkans to receive the waiver. "Until
now, Europe has treated us as second-class citizens," said
engineer Agim Gosalci, 61. "Our politicians are also responsible
for such a long wait because one of the conditions for visa
liberalisation was the fight against corruption and organised
crime," translator Adelina Kasolli, 33, said.
With average wages at slightly above 400 euro and youth
unemployment over 20 percent Kosovo ranks among Europe's poorest
countries. - Emigration fears - For the past two months the
government in Pristina has been conducting a campaign urging
people not to misuse the freedom of travel by looking for jobs
in the EU. Prime Minister Albin Kurti led the campaign himself
travelling throughout the country to explain the new regime
benefits. "This day is important. A great injustice is being
removed and a great right is being gained," he told the quiz
winners at Pristina airport before they flew to Vienna. The
prime minister urged Kosovars "to respect the criteria, and
wherever we travel, let's not forget that our home is Kosovo."
His deputy in charge of European integration, Besnik Bislimi,
warned against the possible abuse of the regime which could lead
to EU restrictive measures that would "harm the entire country".
Many also fear that it could also result in even greater labour
force shortages. Around 18 percent of private sector employees
will quit their jobs and try to emigrate this year, according to
the Pristina-based Riinvest institute. Sopi's business could
also feel the impact but on Monday he was focused more on Vienna
where he was taking his wife who had never travelled to an EU
country. "The decision (to lift visas) is more than welcome,"
said his wife Valdete. "We have family in Germany and
Switzerland and it was time to visit them."
ih/ljv/bp
/ (ANSA-AFP).
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