Kosovo' Government under Kurti against mini-Schengen, requires regional cooperation on an equal basis

Albin Kurti in a release (April, 2021)

 The Kurti government continues to oppose Balkan mini-Schengen. The executive in Kosovo says it is in favor of regional cooperation, but only on the basis of equality and non-replacement of the EU project.

Kosovo government spokesman, Përparim Kryeziu, opposing this initiative, says to Kosovo media that the issue of Balkan mini-Schengen has never been a topic in the executive.

"For the government of the Republic of Kosovo, mini-Schengen has not been updated, because it has never been current. You know the position of the government regarding the mini-Schengen project, which since its birthplace is in Novi Sad, to be more precise, is to say the idea of ​​the Novi Sad area. We as a government and as a state are open to regional cooperation, but only on the basis of equality and reciprocity. We are also open for regional cooperation in such a way that it does not replace the EU project and our integration in it, but only strengthens and advances our pro-Balkan state's effort for EU membership", - Kryeziu said.

He also justifies the approval of two initiatives by the Kurti government, for the signing of international agreements that will facilitate the movement of citizens within the Western Balkans region.

"What we are doing is part of the Berlin process, which as a process was born in Berlin, is supported by Chancellor Merkel's office and aims to support the Western Balkans for EU integration. "Our readiness to be open to regional co-operation is such as to serve Kosovo in EU integration and not to replace it with ideas born in Novi Sad," he added.

Meanwhile, international relations experts say mini-Schengen is not a priority issue for the country.

"As for the issue of mini-Schengen, I do not think it is a dead issue, however, it is not a priority issue, neither for the government nor for the citizen of Kosovo. Regional co-operation issues are extremely important, so I expect the government to consider all initiatives to establish regional co-operation. However, regarding the concrete issue, I do not expect any step from the government for now", - Kryeziu declared.

Meanwhile, North Macedonia seeks support for mini-Schengen, which it sees as an initiative in the interest of the region.

"I think any initiative that will increase the opportunities for our citizens in the Western Balkans should be supported. We need to see what the economic benefit is and I think that the beginning of regional cooperation includes economic opportunities and benefits. Therefore, I see all the countries of the Western Balkans as equal, equal, because only in this way we can move forward in the challenges that await us", said Përparim Kryeziu for KosovaPress.

The idea of ​​Balkan mini-Schengen was introduced at the end of 2019, and at the beginning, the entire political spectrum in Kosovo spoke out against it. Whereas, in the Washington agreement, former Prime Minister Hoti at one of the points had pledged support for mini-Schengen.