Kosovo's citizens remain the only ones in Europe, apart from Russia and Belarus, who still require visas for short-term travel into the Schengen area. Despite the Commission’s recommendation and Parliament’s approval in 2018 to grant visa liberalisation to Kosovo, the process is stuck in the Council. However, Kosovars have not lost hope. While the major obstacle to a consensus among member states has been the high number of unfounded asylum applications,  Prime Minister Hoti stressed that this can no longer be an issue because Kosovo currently has the lowest number of asylum applications compared to its Western Balkan neighbours. However, the government’s approach is not to point fingers at member states, but to continue its cooperation with the Union, particularly on migration and data sharing, in order to contribute to EU security. Furthermore, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Kosovo’s firm commitment to European integration and rejected any possibility of foreign influence. Finally, while visa liberalisation and normalisation of relations with Serbia remain Kosovo’s strategic priorities, the Prime Minister described them as two parallel processes and rejected claims about a free visa regime being held in reserve for the final stage of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.