EC to propose end of visa regime

In the same way as the Serbs in Kosovo are currently allowed freedom of movement without the need for any UN protection? And shall the Albanians and all others just conveniently forget their part in recent historical bloodshed and mass exclusion? Can someone remind me if at any point the members of the so called Kosovo Government were members of any organisation that was at any time in its history regarded as a terrorist organisation by the US and other western countries?
We can go on and on about how bad the Serbs allegedly are but will someone please show some balance and fairness when attributing blame or making accusations and admit that many others are not without guilt. Thanks.

It will be good to see Serbia finally joining the White Schengen countries where she belongs. Many Albanians in Serbia's Kosovo & Metohija province will be pondering if they made the right move in supporting local warlords instead of the country that welcomed them and gave them a home during the lunatic reign of Enver Hoxha.
As for the technical details leading up to Jan 1, who wants a bet that this will be one of the scenarios that the EU asked Serbia to avoid: http://img144.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=10369_15059_122_1056lo.jpg

Johnny M,
You must be joking. It is not Serbs that need to apologize, but it is albanians, croats and bosnian muslims that need to apologize to Serbs!! The truth, once you delve into all the anti-Serb well paid lies and propoganda out there, is that the Serbs are the biggest victims, and yet still the most tolerant society in the Balkans. Anyway, Tadic and the yellows can apologize all they like to people who want them wiped out, but not in my name! I will never apologize to Ustashe or KLA terrorists. It is shameful and pathetic.

As for the EC not giving Serbia visa free travel before this summer, it does not surprise me one bit. Just wait until the next elections, this issue will mysteriously reappear and you will have Solana and Rehn offering Serbia visa free travel if they re-elect the subservient yellows. This is how these things work in the corrupt EU and the 'civilized' West. Please, Serbs and friends of Serbia, spend your dollars in Serbia, Russia, Republika Srpska this summer, or in Cyprus or Greece. These immoral EUrocrats do not deserve our support.

I am strongly against this, Serbia has to remeber this because its quite important, that, 1st serbs have to appologize to albanians, bosnians, and croats for the crimes they,ve done in ex-yugoslavia. 2nd, hand over that scumbag thats hiding in serbia. 3d recognize Kosovo, then maybe,maybe in 10 yrs time, then we should look if they r ready to join EU or moving freely from serbia itself... Serbia has a long way to go though,, they r not there yet.. not for another 20 yrs at least...
(Johnny.M, 12 June 2009 11:15)


Since when did Albanians got a saying in EU affairs?If it takes Serbia 20 years to become a member it will take Albania & Kosovo 100 to get there.

@Johhny M

There is no future in your comments. As for a Serbian apology, there's plenty of history for everyone in the former Yugo to apologize for, but it won't change what has already happened.

The only thing people can control is the present and the future, and I'm glad to see Serbia moving forward.

Congratulations and good luck!

I am so happy for Serbia. You deserve it. It is a shame that the visas regime is still effective. We love you, so I hope many Serbs will come to visit france and french will visit Serbia as well.I expect more and more economic, cultural exchanges, and peace in europe zauvek.
Srecno.

Finally it is happening. Well done Serbia!
Our knowledge hungry citizens will finally be able to travel without humiliating visa procedures, visit the "promised lands" of the Western World and dispel many myths firmly entrenched in our society.
And for likes of our pannellist "Johny M" and other Serb haters, thanks God nobody is asking about your rasict opinion.
Instead of wasting your time, pick up the shovel and do some work, there is a plenty of arable land in Kosovo that needs looking after.

To #1: this non-European stance is why Albania is going to wait a while. EU is about cooperation, not about "hehe, now I will veto you out".

I remember posts like:

"Only after you recognize Kosovo"
"Only after Albania is in EU"
"Only after Albania joins the Galactic Republic"

and such. Now, Schengen White list is reality, expect the Pristina-Nis bus ticket prices increase. Don't forget refreshments and food and laptops. The queues are going to be long and you will need patience.

And many happy visa-free travels between Porto and Kamchatka... on your brand-new SERBIAN passport.

The rest is sour grapes.

that, 1st serbs have to appologize...
My God Johnnie, do you really believe in collective guilt? Serbs were victims... of Milosevic's madness. The visa free travel will help the nation come back to narmal relations with the rest of the world and with their neighbors

I am strongly against this, Serbia has to remeber this because its quite important, that, 1st serbs have to appologize to albanians, bosnians, and croats for the crimes they,ve done in ex-yugoslavia. 2nd, hand over that scumbag thats hiding in serbia. 3d recognize Kosovo, then maybe,maybe in 10 yrs time, then we should look if they r ready to join EU or moving freely from serbia itself... Serbia has a long way to go though,, they r not there yet.. not for another 20 yrs at least...

We can't expect fairness from those who's goal it is to be anti serbian.

There has been excuses coming from Tadic, but ofcourse they reached deaf ears.

Anyway it's better to ignore these comments, since it's no use in trying to change these people's minds.

Am I really the only one who thinks this is a carrot off in the distance, another empty promise. A deal is never closed until it has closed

-
The only thing people can control is the present and the future, and I'm glad to see Serbia moving forward.
(Nicholas Klinsman, 12 June 2009 16:16) -

Well said Nicholas.

Marko, I agree. Lets see if it truly will be Jan 1, 2010. Maybe I am a pessimist. If this holds up..... Awesome!!!

No need to respond to Johnny's comments. It was done on purpose to aggravate Serbians. Most Albanians have not made bad comments to this story. Kudos to them!

Alban you talk nonsense - Serbs are travelling now and it will just be easier without visas. In my experience there are many who have plenty enough cash travel. I think you are trying to impose a reputation that has been aquired by some other groups and which has not been shown to apply to Serbs.

Alban

Most people in the Balkans are poor and would probably not be able to travel to Germany or France without money. However, a lot of Serbs as well as Albanians, Croats etc have relatives in Western Europe that will help them financially.

This is a small step but an importent one. It shows that, after years of isolation, Serbs are again accepted into Europe.

I live in Sweden and its normal for people from all of Scandinavia to travel to Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. People in the Balkans have a long way to go before this would be possible. It's actually to bad because we are neighbours whether we like it or not, and we should do the best of the situation. Its hard to believe we all used to live in the same country not long ago.

Hopefully budget airlines will take note of this development. As the majority of Serbia's citizens live on relatively modest incomes, low cost flights would be the best way of exploring Europe. This is something the young people of Serbia desperately need. Furthermore, I wish the anti-Serb contributors to this site would cease their bile filled comments. You people really need to get a life and move on.

"...a few technical elements remain that the Serbian side needs to work on some more in order for the evaluation to be completely positive,“ said Miščević.


So again, Europe is still unsure about letting Serbs join them on a equal footing. This gives the EU least 6 more months of getting more and more concessions or conditions attached to the "White List". And remember, being on the "White List" only benefits a small portion of the Serb population- probably less than 10%. Real economic benefits for ALL of Serbia through EU membership will still be years away- and that, folks, is the way of the EU.

Danger.

An what do the contact group states say to Serbia behind closed doors? "If you back the RS after Inzko uses his Bonn (super) powers then the agreement will be suspended". That's exactly the kind of dirty blackmail we can expect. Serbia's reaction to use of such powers is critical and could kill off the OHR stone dead and leave the EU with a PR disaster on its hands. Is there anyone left in the Serbian government that has a spine???

This decision speaks for it self. Great job Serbia and good luck! Hope you join the Union soon! After all, its where you belong :)

Alban,

Unfortunately except the train tickets and gasoline almost everything is cheaper in certain countries of West Europe than in Serbia, Croatia, Hungary.

Precisely these countries (Germany, Austria) are the most visited ones by Serbs. What is really expensive has to do with service, typically restaurant bills.

My salary is in USD, not EUR, HUF or RSD. The current exchange rate is not very good and us, too, aren't frequent visitors of restaurants in Hungary and I try to save on gasoline as much as possible. From price point of view the only place which looks kind-of OK for us in this part of Europe is KiM, FYROM and maybe (wasn't there yet) AL. But that does not prevent us to go somewhere else once in a while and I am not looking for employment in West Europe - even that I would have no legal problems.

"...a few technical elements remain that the Serbian side needs to work on some more in order for the evaluation to be completely positive,“ said Miščević.


So again, Europe is still unsure about letting Serbs join them on a equal footing. This gives the EU least 6 more months of getting more and more concessions or conditions attached to the "White List". And remember, being on the "White List" only benefits a small portion of the Serb population- probably less than 10%. Real economic benefits for ALL of Serbia through EU membership will still be years away- and that, folks, is the way of the EU.

-----

Bad editing by B92! Serbia must STILL fulfill conditions on security of documents, patrol the border with Kosova (North), human rights and propose how will they issue passports to people in Bosnia, MN and Kosova. Serbia MUST do those by October and then EU will vote. Even Dacic admitted this much.

The real test of course are the Kosova local elections, that's why Tadic is silent. EU has six months to see since no one trust the serbian government to keep its word. If Tadic says "Boycott Kosova elections" or funds the illegal and immoral institutions then you can kiss visas goodbye.

Trade off: visas for complete integration in Kosova of the Serbs.

Serbs look so happy over this news.

I mean you have right to travel only for short stay 3 month, and not right to work in EU.

Whats the idea behind it, i think is better to travel to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Albania and its cheaper than to go to Germany, France or Italy.

Do you think that you have so much money to travel to EU?

I mean you have same living standards as many other Ballkan countries exept Croatia and Slovenia which have better living standard condition.

But if you think that you can go and work in EU i tell you now that you will not have chance to find a work.

First of all EU counties have problem with own citizens and unemployment, second there is to much foreigners who are with out work and have right to work in EU but cant find a job.

And third is the languange, with out knowing languange of that country its too dificult to find a work even if you know english there is no chance.

And dont think that EU citizens will be happy to see you guys from Balkan there with no money, becouse they are tired of to much foreginers in theyre contry.

So my friends i think you dont want to end up like Romanians and Bulgarinas asking money and selling flowers in the streets.

I hope rich people of Serbia enjoy spending money in EU and visiting Paris or London where they will see more Asian and Chinese than a local people.

So have a nice time

We in Balkans are pleased to see our neighbors progressing in all aspects and there is no place for envy also in respect of visa liberalization. But taking into consideration the stances of almost 100 % of Serbs toward European Union the great hypocrisy shown by Serbian camp continually can not go unnoticed. We see today another face of Serbs different of what has been frequently until this moment.
Johnny M was strongly attacked because he mentioned the truth and only the truth which correspond to the facts proved and position of most democratic countries (mainly of EU) on theses issues mentioned by Johnny M.

“And shall the Albanians and all others just conveniently forget their part in recent historical bloodshed and mass exclusion?”
We Albanians have our part in the recent historical bloodshed which is not denied but accepted as a reaction to the harsh policies of Serbian regimes in almost 90 years culminating in 1999. KLA was never formally regarded as terrorist organization. The fact that she was widely supported from outside and inside was just an indicator the KLA war was indeed war for freedom. If there were crimes against civilians committed from individuals behind KLA, they were all condemned and we never supported criminal actions against civilians being Albanians or Serbian. Remember 12000 people killed more than 120000 houses demolished and yet more than 800000 forced to leave their houses and thousand of them still missing. On this forum you still will find many Serbs still living in denial. (refer to the comment #4)
“….. instead of the country that welcomed them and gave them a home during the lunatic reign of Enver Hoxha.”
Sorry mate but we live neither under Enver Hoxha nor under Yugoslavia anymore. It is 2009 now and we are really feed up with your fairytales which make me sick.
“We can't expect fairness from those who's goal it is to be anti serbian.”
Sorry to disappoint you again but with respect to visa liberalization I would be more pro Serbian than anti Serbian. If the other Balkan countries deserve it then we wish them all only Good Luck.
“this non-European stance is why Albania is going to wait a while.”
As an Albanian I would prefer to my country to improve its stance in many aspects other than non or pro EU since Albanians are the first probably 95 % pro EU while the Serbs on contrary are 95 % against by calling them corrupted, eurocrats, sometimes criminals and yet you smile and want to gain still favors from EU. We have the SAA already signed in the shortest time possible and very good relations with most of EU countries. If you think that Albanian stance is non EU and Sebian pro EU then you could also say that we live on moon and not on the earth. As I mentioned before better improve yourself and go proud than enter like a beggar. There are some things to get better before we enter in visa liberalization package. Hopefully in 2011 we will be part of it.
“And for likes of our pannellist "Johny M" and other Serb haters, thanks God nobody is asking about your rasict opinion.
Instead of wasting your time, pick up the shovel and do some work, there is a plenty of arable land in Kosovo that needs looking after.”
It doesn’t wonder me that you are so smart to shot your self on the foot. You suggest that Serbs live only in beautiful cities on modern flats with 1 or 2 cars in garage!!!!
Finally we hope to see all Balkan countries part of EU where we all belong to. Everybody take care of himself.

Ataman MikeC

I don’t know about you and some other Serbs who live abroad but I’m talking about the Majority of people.

Of course there are people who can effort travelling, but they are some exception.

You can not compare Sweden with Serbia or Scandinavia with Balkan, we are 100 years behind Scandinavia.

I am 100% sure that so many people from Serbia will use this chance to go and work abroad or ask asylum in West countries.

Tell me guys why than you and so many others from Balkan countries are living there, well just to have better life more money and better future.

Ask your self and your
friends will they leave Sweden and come back to Serbia for living, answer will be no way.

So my friend I can say that 70% or more people that live here in Balkan want to go to West and have a good life like you do.

And EU knows this
Just look at Croatia they for many years have right to travel around EU with out Visa, and know more than 60% of Croatians citizens don’t want to enjoy EU; they want to be like Norway or Swiss.

Do you know that Croatians before didn’t need Visa to go to Great Britain but know they need, simply because after war there were many thousand refuges with Croatian passports mainly Serbians asking asylum and Britain that’s why denied entry for Croatians with out visa.

so my friend only when we in Balkans will be as they in Scandinavia free, democratic and honest than we can be proud that we have achieved something

I am strongly against this, Serbia has to remeber this because its quite important, that, 1st serbs have to appologize to albanians, bosnians, and croats for the crimes they,ve done in ex-yugoslavia. 2nd, hand over that scumbag thats hiding in serbia. 3d recognize Kosovo, then maybe,maybe in 10 yrs time, then we should look if they r ready to join EU or moving freely from serbia itself... Serbia has a long way to go though,, they r not there yet.. not for another 20 yrs at least...

Johnny M,
You must be joking. It is not Serbs that need to apologize, but it is albanians, croats and bosnian muslims that need to apologize to Serbs!! The truth, once you delve into all the anti-Serb well paid lies and propoganda out there, is that the Serbs are the biggest victims, and yet still the most tolerant society in the Balkans. Anyway, Tadic and the yellows can apologize all they like to people who want them wiped out, but not in my name! I will never apologize to Ustashe or KLA terrorists. It is shameful and pathetic.

As for the EC not giving Serbia visa free travel before this summer, it does not surprise me one bit. Just wait until the next elections, this issue will mysteriously reappear and you will have Solana and Rehn offering Serbia visa free travel if they re-elect the subservient yellows. This is how these things work in the corrupt EU and the 'civilized' West. Please, Serbs and friends of Serbia, spend your dollars in Serbia, Russia, Republika Srpska this summer, or in Cyprus or Greece. These immoral EUrocrats do not deserve our support.

Serbs look so happy over this news.

I mean you have right to travel only for short stay 3 month, and not right to work in EU.

Whats the idea behind it, i think is better to travel to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Albania and its cheaper than to go to Germany, France or Italy.

Do you think that you have so much money to travel to EU?

I mean you have same living standards as many other Ballkan countries exept Croatia and Slovenia which have better living standard condition.

But if you think that you can go and work in EU i tell you now that you will not have chance to find a work.

First of all EU counties have problem with own citizens and unemployment, second there is to much foreigners who are with out work and have right to work in EU but cant find a job.

And third is the languange, with out knowing languange of that country its too dificult to find a work even if you know english there is no chance.

And dont think that EU citizens will be happy to see you guys from Balkan there with no money, becouse they are tired of to much foreginers in theyre contry.

So my friends i think you dont want to end up like Romanians and Bulgarinas asking money and selling flowers in the streets.

I hope rich people of Serbia enjoy spending money in EU and visiting Paris or London where they will see more Asian and Chinese than a local people.

So have a nice time

"...a few technical elements remain that the Serbian side needs to work on some more in order for the evaluation to be completely positive,“ said Miščević.


So again, Europe is still unsure about letting Serbs join them on a equal footing. This gives the EU least 6 more months of getting more and more concessions or conditions attached to the "White List". And remember, being on the "White List" only benefits a small portion of the Serb population- probably less than 10%. Real economic benefits for ALL of Serbia through EU membership will still be years away- and that, folks, is the way of the EU.

-----

Bad editing by B92! Serbia must STILL fulfill conditions on security of documents, patrol the border with Kosova (North), human rights and propose how will they issue passports to people in Bosnia, MN and Kosova. Serbia MUST do those by October and then EU will vote. Even Dacic admitted this much.

The real test of course are the Kosova local elections, that's why Tadic is silent. EU has six months to see since no one trust the serbian government to keep its word. If Tadic says "Boycott Kosova elections" or funds the illegal and immoral institutions then you can kiss visas goodbye.

Trade off: visas for complete integration in Kosova of the Serbs.

I am strongly against this, Serbia has to remeber this because its quite important, that, 1st serbs have to appologize to albanians, bosnians, and croats for the crimes they,ve done in ex-yugoslavia. 2nd, hand over that scumbag thats hiding in serbia. 3d recognize Kosovo, then maybe,maybe in 10 yrs time, then we should look if they r ready to join EU or moving freely from serbia itself... Serbia has a long way to go though,, they r not there yet.. not for another 20 yrs at least...
(Johnny.M, 12 June 2009 11:15)


Since when did Albanians got a saying in EU affairs?If it takes Serbia 20 years to become a member it will take Albania & Kosovo 100 to get there.

We in Balkans are pleased to see our neighbors progressing in all aspects and there is no place for envy also in respect of visa liberalization. But taking into consideration the stances of almost 100 % of Serbs toward European Union the great hypocrisy shown by Serbian camp continually can not go unnoticed. We see today another face of Serbs different of what has been frequently until this moment.
Johnny M was strongly attacked because he mentioned the truth and only the truth which correspond to the facts proved and position of most democratic countries (mainly of EU) on theses issues mentioned by Johnny M.

“And shall the Albanians and all others just conveniently forget their part in recent historical bloodshed and mass exclusion?”
We Albanians have our part in the recent historical bloodshed which is not denied but accepted as a reaction to the harsh policies of Serbian regimes in almost 90 years culminating in 1999. KLA was never formally regarded as terrorist organization. The fact that she was widely supported from outside and inside was just an indicator the KLA war was indeed war for freedom. If there were crimes against civilians committed from individuals behind KLA, they were all condemned and we never supported criminal actions against civilians being Albanians or Serbian. Remember 12000 people killed more than 120000 houses demolished and yet more than 800000 forced to leave their houses and thousand of them still missing. On this forum you still will find many Serbs still living in denial. (refer to the comment #4)
“….. instead of the country that welcomed them and gave them a home during the lunatic reign of Enver Hoxha.”
Sorry mate but we live neither under Enver Hoxha nor under Yugoslavia anymore. It is 2009 now and we are really feed up with your fairytales which make me sick.
“We can't expect fairness from those who's goal it is to be anti serbian.”
Sorry to disappoint you again but with respect to visa liberalization I would be more pro Serbian than anti Serbian. If the other Balkan countries deserve it then we wish them all only Good Luck.
“this non-European stance is why Albania is going to wait a while.”
As an Albanian I would prefer to my country to improve its stance in many aspects other than non or pro EU since Albanians are the first probably 95 % pro EU while the Serbs on contrary are 95 % against by calling them corrupted, eurocrats, sometimes criminals and yet you smile and want to gain still favors from EU. We have the SAA already signed in the shortest time possible and very good relations with most of EU countries. If you think that Albanian stance is non EU and Sebian pro EU then you could also say that we live on moon and not on the earth. As I mentioned before better improve yourself and go proud than enter like a beggar. There are some things to get better before we enter in visa liberalization package. Hopefully in 2011 we will be part of it.
“And for likes of our pannellist "Johny M" and other Serb haters, thanks God nobody is asking about your rasict opinion.
Instead of wasting your time, pick up the shovel and do some work, there is a plenty of arable land in Kosovo that needs looking after.”
It doesn’t wonder me that you are so smart to shot your self on the foot. You suggest that Serbs live only in beautiful cities on modern flats with 1 or 2 cars in garage!!!!
Finally we hope to see all Balkan countries part of EU where we all belong to. Everybody take care of himself.

In the same way as the Serbs in Kosovo are currently allowed freedom of movement without the need for any UN protection? And shall the Albanians and all others just conveniently forget their part in recent historical bloodshed and mass exclusion? Can someone remind me if at any point the members of the so called Kosovo Government were members of any organisation that was at any time in its history regarded as a terrorist organisation by the US and other western countries?
We can go on and on about how bad the Serbs allegedly are but will someone please show some balance and fairness when attributing blame or making accusations and admit that many others are not without guilt. Thanks.

Ataman MikeC

I don’t know about you and some other Serbs who live abroad but I’m talking about the Majority of people.

Of course there are people who can effort travelling, but they are some exception.

You can not compare Sweden with Serbia or Scandinavia with Balkan, we are 100 years behind Scandinavia.

I am 100% sure that so many people from Serbia will use this chance to go and work abroad or ask asylum in West countries.

Tell me guys why than you and so many others from Balkan countries are living there, well just to have better life more money and better future.

Ask your self and your
friends will they leave Sweden and come back to Serbia for living, answer will be no way.

So my friend I can say that 70% or more people that live here in Balkan want to go to West and have a good life like you do.

And EU knows this
Just look at Croatia they for many years have right to travel around EU with out Visa, and know more than 60% of Croatians citizens don’t want to enjoy EU; they want to be like Norway or Swiss.

Do you know that Croatians before didn’t need Visa to go to Great Britain but know they need, simply because after war there were many thousand refuges with Croatian passports mainly Serbians asking asylum and Britain that’s why denied entry for Croatians with out visa.

so my friend only when we in Balkans will be as they in Scandinavia free, democratic and honest than we can be proud that we have achieved something

Am I really the only one who thinks this is a carrot off in the distance, another empty promise. A deal is never closed until it has closed

It will be good to see Serbia finally joining the White Schengen countries where she belongs. Many Albanians in Serbia's Kosovo & Metohija province will be pondering if they made the right move in supporting local warlords instead of the country that welcomed them and gave them a home during the lunatic reign of Enver Hoxha.
As for the technical details leading up to Jan 1, who wants a bet that this will be one of the scenarios that the EU asked Serbia to avoid: http://img144.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=10369_15059_122_1056lo.jpg

"...a few technical elements remain that the Serbian side needs to work on some more in order for the evaluation to be completely positive,“ said Miščević.


So again, Europe is still unsure about letting Serbs join them on a equal footing. This gives the EU least 6 more months of getting more and more concessions or conditions attached to the "White List". And remember, being on the "White List" only benefits a small portion of the Serb population- probably less than 10%. Real economic benefits for ALL of Serbia through EU membership will still be years away- and that, folks, is the way of the EU.

Danger.

An what do the contact group states say to Serbia behind closed doors? "If you back the RS after Inzko uses his Bonn (super) powers then the agreement will be suspended". That's exactly the kind of dirty blackmail we can expect. Serbia's reaction to use of such powers is critical and could kill off the OHR stone dead and leave the EU with a PR disaster on its hands. Is there anyone left in the Serbian government that has a spine???

To #1: this non-European stance is why Albania is going to wait a while. EU is about cooperation, not about "hehe, now I will veto you out".

We can't expect fairness from those who's goal it is to be anti serbian.

There has been excuses coming from Tadic, but ofcourse they reached deaf ears.

Anyway it's better to ignore these comments, since it's no use in trying to change these people's minds.

Finally it is happening. Well done Serbia!
Our knowledge hungry citizens will finally be able to travel without humiliating visa procedures, visit the "promised lands" of the Western World and dispel many myths firmly entrenched in our society.
And for likes of our pannellist "Johny M" and other Serb haters, thanks God nobody is asking about your rasict opinion.
Instead of wasting your time, pick up the shovel and do some work, there is a plenty of arable land in Kosovo that needs looking after.

I remember posts like:

"Only after you recognize Kosovo"
"Only after Albania is in EU"
"Only after Albania joins the Galactic Republic"

and such. Now, Schengen White list is reality, expect the Pristina-Nis bus ticket prices increase. Don't forget refreshments and food and laptops. The queues are going to be long and you will need patience.

And many happy visa-free travels between Porto and Kamchatka... on your brand-new SERBIAN passport.

The rest is sour grapes.

that, 1st serbs have to appologize...
My God Johnnie, do you really believe in collective guilt? Serbs were victims... of Milosevic's madness. The visa free travel will help the nation come back to narmal relations with the rest of the world and with their neighbors

I am so happy for Serbia. You deserve it. It is a shame that the visas regime is still effective. We love you, so I hope many Serbs will come to visit france and french will visit Serbia as well.I expect more and more economic, cultural exchanges, and peace in europe zauvek.
Srecno.

Congratulations and good luck!

@Johhny M

There is no future in your comments. As for a Serbian apology, there's plenty of history for everyone in the former Yugo to apologize for, but it won't change what has already happened.

The only thing people can control is the present and the future, and I'm glad to see Serbia moving forward.

Alban,

Unfortunately except the train tickets and gasoline almost everything is cheaper in certain countries of West Europe than in Serbia, Croatia, Hungary.

Precisely these countries (Germany, Austria) are the most visited ones by Serbs. What is really expensive has to do with service, typically restaurant bills.

My salary is in USD, not EUR, HUF or RSD. The current exchange rate is not very good and us, too, aren't frequent visitors of restaurants in Hungary and I try to save on gasoline as much as possible. From price point of view the only place which looks kind-of OK for us in this part of Europe is KiM, FYROM and maybe (wasn't there yet) AL. But that does not prevent us to go somewhere else once in a while and I am not looking for employment in West Europe - even that I would have no legal problems.

-
The only thing people can control is the present and the future, and I'm glad to see Serbia moving forward.
(Nicholas Klinsman, 12 June 2009 16:16) -

Well said Nicholas.

Marko, I agree. Lets see if it truly will be Jan 1, 2010. Maybe I am a pessimist. If this holds up..... Awesome!!!

No need to respond to Johnny's comments. It was done on purpose to aggravate Serbians. Most Albanians have not made bad comments to this story. Kudos to them!

This decision speaks for it self. Great job Serbia and good luck! Hope you join the Union soon! After all, its where you belong :)

Alban

Most people in the Balkans are poor and would probably not be able to travel to Germany or France without money. However, a lot of Serbs as well as Albanians, Croats etc have relatives in Western Europe that will help them financially.

This is a small step but an importent one. It shows that, after years of isolation, Serbs are again accepted into Europe.

I live in Sweden and its normal for people from all of Scandinavia to travel to Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. People in the Balkans have a long way to go before this would be possible. It's actually to bad because we are neighbours whether we like it or not, and we should do the best of the situation. Its hard to believe we all used to live in the same country not long ago.

Alban you talk nonsense - Serbs are travelling now and it will just be easier without visas. In my experience there are many who have plenty enough cash travel. I think you are trying to impose a reputation that has been aquired by some other groups and which has not been shown to apply to Serbs.

Hopefully budget airlines will take note of this development. As the majority of Serbia's citizens live on relatively modest incomes, low cost flights would be the best way of exploring Europe. This is something the young people of Serbia desperately need. Furthermore, I wish the anti-Serb contributors to this site would cease their bile filled comments. You people really need to get a life and move on.