Visa decision expected in November

The European Parliament supports the abolition of visas for Serbian citizens on January 1, 2010, according to its rapporteur on visa liberalization. “That’s enough time for interior ministers to give their last green light. I think that they have a vote in November or early December,” said the European Parliament Rapporteur on Visa Liberalization Tanja Fajon. Visa decision expected in November She added that the EP would probably propose that Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania be included in the same package, though the decision to abolish visas for these two countries will take effect later. The internal debate in the EU is related to the inclusion of these two countries in the visa liberalization proposal. Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro already have clear majority support in the EP for abolishing visas on January 1. “I am convinced that what we are trying to do now with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania will not slow down the other three countries. This was a political decision by all the member-states of the European community and that will not change,” Fajon said. Next week, the European Commission will release a progress report for Serbia and other countries of the region, which will state whether the EU should begin implementation of the interim trade agreement with Serbia, now that the government in Belgrade has confirmed its European orientation and improved cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

Visa decision expected in November

She added that the EP would probably propose that Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania be included in the same package, though the decision to abolish visas for these two countries will take effect later.

The internal debate in the EU is related to the inclusion of these two countries in the visa liberalization proposal. Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro already have clear majority support in the EP for abolishing visas on January 1.

“I am convinced that what we are trying to do now with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania will not slow down the other three countries. This was a political decision by all the member-states of the European community and that will not change,” Fajon said.

Next week, the European Commission will release a progress report for Serbia and other countries of the region, which will state whether the EU should begin implementation of the interim trade agreement with Serbia, now that the government in Belgrade has confirmed its European orientation and improved cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.