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01.01.2008

Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have entered into force

Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements between the EU and five countries of the Western Balkans entered into force today*.


Citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will continue to benefit from a reduced visa handling fee (EUR 35 instead of EUR 60). Many categories of applicants may also now obtain visas free of charge. In the majority of cases, visa procedures have been simplified. In addition, with the recent enlargement of the Schengen area, applicants from the above-mentioned countries will now be able to apply for a single Schengen visa only.

The implementation of the Visa Facilitation Agreements will foster people-to-people contacts and increase opportunities for travel, especially for the younger generation. This is an important step towards full visa liberalisation. In this context the Slovenian Presidency welcomes the European Commission’s intention to initiate dialogue in due time on visa liberalisation with each of the five countries with a view to establishing a road map on the conditions to be met. 

The Readmission Agreements provide for rules and procedures to combat illegal migration.  Their effective implementation, as well as progress in key areas such as border management, document security and the fight against organised crime, will gradually open the way for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia toward a visa-free regime.


* as of 1 January 2008. The EC/Albania readmission agreement entered into force on 1 May 2006.

 

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Date: 04.01.2008