Western Balkan countries retain visa-free regime

The EU Council of Ministers did not discuss any temporary suspension of visa-free regime for the Western Balkans countries. The ministers have concluded that the Western Balkan countries “have made certain progress” even though “many asylum seekers still come to the EU member states from Serbia and FYR Macedonia.” Western Balkan countries retain visa-free regime EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom pointed out that “some EU member states have expressed their concern over it.” She said that false asylum seekers were mostly Roma and Albanians. Malmtrom added that EU interior and justice ministers had thoroughly discussed European Commission (EC) semi-annual report and that the ministers also reviewed a prepared mechanism for emergency suspension of visa-free regime for six to nine months in emergency situations. The mechanism could be activated if the number of false asylum seekers and illegal immigrants from the Western Balkans increased by more than 50 percent in six months. The EC semi-annual report says that it is “important that majority of passengers from those countries come in good faith” and that “only a small number of people, more than 80 percent of which are Roma and ethnic Albanians, abuse the privilege and unfoundedly seek asylum”. “The main reason they are leaving their countries is economic one, based on a wrong assumption that they will get financial privileges when they apply for asylum in the EU member states,” it is said in the report. In the meantime, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic will meet with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule in Brussels. According to diplomatic sources, they will discuss Belgrade’s working agenda until October 12 when EU foreign ministers should review Serbia’s progress on its EU path.

Western Balkan countries retain visa-free regime

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom pointed out that “some EU member states have expressed their concern over it.” She said that false asylum seekers were mostly Roma and Albanians.

Malmtrom added that EU interior and justice ministers had thoroughly discussed European Commission (EC) semi-annual report and that the ministers also reviewed a prepared mechanism for emergency suspension of visa-free regime for six to nine months in emergency situations.

The mechanism could be activated if the number of false asylum seekers and illegal immigrants from the Western Balkans increased by more than 50 percent in six months.

The EC semi-annual report says that it is “important that majority of passengers from those countries come in good faith” and that “only a small number of people, more than 80 percent of which are Roma and ethnic Albanians, abuse the privilege and unfoundedly seek asylum”.

“The main reason they are leaving their countries is economic one, based on a wrong assumption that they will get financial privileges when they apply for asylum in the EU member states,” it is said in the report.

In the meantime, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković will meet with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule in Brussels. According to diplomatic sources, they will discuss Belgrade’s working agenda until October 12 when EU foreign ministers should review Serbia’s progress on its EU path.