Freedom to travel

 By Rosa Heuveliing van Beek

With the arrival of summer and the roll out of vaccines in Europe, people are talking of finally being able to travel again. However, for Kosovars, 13 years after their declaration of independence barriers to traveling remain. Kosovo is the only country in Europe (apart from Belarus) whose citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen Area. While other non-EU Balkan states have not achieved full visa liberalization, those with a biometric passport are able to enter the Schengen area visa-free. 

Despite the European Commission’s confirmation that Kosovo had met requirements for visa-free travel in 2018, the process of liberalization has since been stalled. Many EU nations also recognize Kosovo’s independence and have economic relations with the country. It’s important to note here that recognition of Kosovo is independent from visa liberalization as can be demonstrated with the approval of Taiwan’s Schengen visa waiver. So why has the process of visa liberalization stalled and why is it so important for Kosovars to be able to travel to Schengen countries visa-free? Perhaps most importantly, why is this issue one that the EU needs to address? 

Currently, there are two main EU countries opposed to the visa liberalization process with Kosovo. Despite the EU’s 2018 confirmation, both France and the Netherlands claim that Kosovo does not meet the visa liberalization criteria due to high corruption and crime levels. While Kosovo does have high corruption levels and ranks 104th in clean governance, other non-EU Balkan countries whose visa liberalization process has been realized are ranked the same or worse than Kosovo (inc. Albania, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina). With the newly elected PM Kurti who ran on promises to fight corruption, will the EU come closer to re-engaging in the visa liberalization dialogue with Kosovo? The visa liberalization dialogue has gone back and forth, with the EU increasing its demands as the process advanced. For example, there was the EU’s additional demand that Kosovo resolve border demarcation issues with Montenegro, and when this was resolved, the EU concluded that requirements had been met, but then no further action was taken. 

Kosovo remains isolated as the only Balkan country that has the potential to join the EU without visa-free travel. This creates barriers and limits the opportunities of Kosovars in EU countries that are available to their European counterparts. For example, as shown in this video from a youth organization based in Klina, Kosovo. It highlights how the youth are limited in learning, travel, and sports opportunities. There seems to be an imbalance in EU-Kosovo relations as the EU continues to push demands on Kosovo, while ignoring what is being asked of them. The imbalance in relations is reflected in the travel rights of EU and Kosovo citizens as EU passport holders can travel to Kosovo visa-free, but not the other way around. 

The EU plays an important role in the Balkans because of its economic might and power and hence its abilities to influence other nations. The EU has adopted a further role of peace building, as reflected by their involvement in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and appointment of a special envoy to Kosovo. The limited progress with visa liberalization is a setback in EU-Kosovo relations, and the EU needs to increase engagement before trust in the EU further deteriorates. 

The Western Balkans is an area of geopolitical importance for the EU as it is surrounded by EU members. Failing to fulfill their own end of the bargain could cost the EU, particularly as Chinese and Russian influence grows in the region. Kosovo is a young European country with a young population that is isolated and prevented from experiencing the benefits of being European. The Serbia-Kosovo question is often highlighted as one of the last remaining conflicts in Europe, yet while emphasizing its European nature, its people remain isolated.