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Although Kosovo has met all the criteria set by the European Union for visa removal, the 28 EU member states have not yet taken the final decision on the process. Officials from the European Union's Office in Pristina have told to media that despite it being up to the member states to make a final decision, it is the right time for Kosovars to have their visas liberalized.
“The EU visa liberalization process for Kosovo is continuing. As EU High Representative Mogherini said during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Helsinki, the European Commission has suggested to the Council that the time has come to decide on visa liberalization for Kosovo. She added that it is now up to the Council to make that decision, expressing confidence that it is time for the people of Kosovo to obtain visa liberalization,” reads the Office's response.
But until visa-free travel occurs, the EU Office has stressed that Kosovo must continue its rule of law, security and migration efforts.
“As you know Kosovo's report for 2019 has reiterated the European Commission's support for ending this process as a matter of urgency. It is up to the EU member states, represented in the EU Council, together with the European Parliament, to make the final decision. In the meantime, it is important for Kosovo to demonstrate its continued efforts for the rule of law, to control migration and security in order to prepare a positive context for the final decision of the EU member states."
On the other hand, the connoisseurs of integration issues are skeptical that recent statements by EU officials could accelerate visa liberalization. According to them, this depends directly on the improvements Kosovo makes in the field of rule of law, as well as indirectly on the flow of talks with the Serbian state.