Visas to be abolished for Kosovo - "if conditions are met"

Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said on Tuesday that his country backs the abolishment of visas for the people of Kosovo. However, he noted that "legal issues must be resolved first". Visas to be abolished for Kosovo - "if conditions are met" "If Prstina fulfills the required prerequisites, we will support the granting of non-visa regime to Kosovo," Spindelegger said, addressing an Austrian parliament committee. He recalled that "Kosovo has already introduced biometric passports, all in keeping with the EU demands". He pointed out, however, that some other preconditions still remain to be fulfilled, such as agreement on readmission. As for Pristina's wish to sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, Spindelegger underlined that "a legal opinion is required for something like that, given that five EU member states have not recognized Kosovo's independence". "This is why it is difficult to conclude the agreement between the EU and Kosovo," the Austrian foreign minister said, announcing that the European Commission would be requested to draft a feasibility study. Tanjug

Visas to be abolished for Kosovo - "if conditions are met"

"If Prština fulfills the required prerequisites, we will support the granting of non-visa regime to Kosovo," Spindelegger said, addressing an Austrian parliament committee.

He recalled that "Kosovo has already introduced biometric passports, all in keeping with the EU demands".

He pointed out, however, that some other preconditions still remain to be fulfilled, such as agreement on readmission.

As for Priština's wish to sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, Spindelegger underlined that "a legal opinion is required for something like that, given that five EU member states have not recognized Kosovo's independence".

"This is why it is difficult to conclude the agreement between the EU and Kosovo," the Austrian foreign minister said, announcing that the European Commission would be requested to draft a feasibility study.