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The European Commission told Radio Free Europe that regarding visa liberalization, "The European Commission stands behind the assessment given since July 2018 that Kosovo has met all the criteria."
Asked if there will be any new reports, this Commission said that it reports regularly in the annual progress reports on Kosovo's success in various areas that are also related to the criteria for liberalization.
The last report on this was that of 2019 and in it the Commission had reiterated the assessment that Kosovo has met all the criteria.
Diplomatic sources in Brussels have said that in the Autumn when the Commission will issue the enlargement package and annual progress reports for all Western Balkan countries, they will include the assessment of the fulfillment of the criteria for visa liberalization by Kosovo. Brussels sources say at the moment the Commission is expected to reiterate that Kosovo continues to meet the necessary criteria and that the Commission maintains the recommendation that visas be lifted for the travel of Kosovo citizens to the EU countries and other Schengen countries, which are not formal EU members such as: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
It has been reported from some diplomatic sources that some countries that are reluctant to support visa liberalization for Kosovo - as is the case with France - are seeking a new assessment to see if Kosovo continues to meet the conditions. These countries have some remarks in the field of rule of law and some concerns about the number of asylum seekers from Kosovo, which, although small, still exists, especially in France.
The European Parliament also continues to support visa liberalization. Moreover, many members of the European Parliament have addressed the German Presidency to put on the agenda and ensure that visas for Kosovo citizens are lifted. They reminded that Kosovo is the only country in the region that does not enjoy this right.
The only obstacle to visa liberalization now lies with the EU member states, which, by a qualified majority, have to decide in the Council.
Official sources from the German Foreign Ministry have said that Germany appreciates Kosovo's efforts in recent years in order to meet all criteria, especially those related to the fight against organized crime and corruption. But the same sources remind that the decision on this should be taken in the Council of the European Union.
"In this context, Germany supports Kosovo on the path to visa liberalization. For this purpose, we have already had expert level talks between the representatives of Kosovo and the experts of the German Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, where we have discussed all open issues," said this source.
The German Foreign Ministry also recalled a statement by the Minister for European Affairs - Michael Roth about month ago - where he said that regarding Kosovo "the EU must implement what we promised and finally move forward on the road of visa liberalization”.
Diplomatic sources in the EU estimate that visa liberalization is still likely to take place before the end of this year if Germany, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Presidency, becomes more committed to the issue in the Autumn. While it is possible to secure a qualified majority in the EU Council, there will nevertheless be efforts to secure the removal of opposition from France and the Netherlands, the two countries which have so far been most reluctant to support the liberalization of visas for Kosovo.