Where was the liberalization of visas one year after the ratification of the demarcation with Montenegro

The lack of will in some EU countries, the failure of the courts in Kosovo, the idea of ​​changing the borders which is thought to increase tensions, the European elections are just some of the reasons why today the enthusiasm for visa liberalization for Kosovars is less than a year ago, when the Agreement on the demarcation of the border with Montenegro was ratified and the Kosovars wanted to believe that it was really the last condition that had to be fulfilled

Exactly one year has passed since the Assembly of Kosovo, after a long period of tensions, accusations and counter-accusations for national treason and the sale of Kosovo's land, approved the Agreement on the demarcation of the border between Kosovo and Montenegro. This agreement, for which there were many remarks, besides its content itself, had become a dominant topic also because it was connected, without any reason, to the visa liberalization process for Kosovo. Since then, it was doubted whether the ratification of this agreement was really the "last condition" that Kosovo had to fulfill in order to pave the way for the EU to remove visas and isolation for the citizens of Kosovo. Those who wanted the passage of the Agreement insisted that this would remove the isolation of citizens. Those who were against, and were found in the Government, such as AAK and Nisma, wanted to believe that with this ratification, which violated their previous positions, they are paving the way for the liberalization of visas.

But from the first day of the ratification of the Agreement, the new procrastination on the part of the EU began. First followed the reminder that, apart from the ratification, there was another condition left, the testimony for the fight against corruption and organized crime at the high level. Therefore, the European Commission "eat" another three months until reporting that Kosovo has fulfilled the last two remaining conditions. There followed the party in Kosovo and the delirium of the politicians, who believed that they have provided the citizens with visa-free travel to the EU. But EU member states were not too impressed. Some said that the European Commission's report was "too hasty" and should have waited longer. Some other countries simply did not consider this report at all, because they do not believe that in Kosovo there are really satisfactory results in the fight against organized crime and corruption. A small number of EU states were in favor of visa waivers, but the main states were not.

And during this one-year period, Kosovo's politicians continued to promise what they had been saying throughout the last ten years, that "visa liberalization will come very soon". But there was no real possibility behind such politicians' statements. It was more about statements to please the citizens, who always tend to believe in what they like. And, as always, liberalization did not follow, but rather despair. And whenever there is despair among the citizens, of course the politicians of Kosovo do not take responsibility for themselves, but blame others, in this case the EU.

This continues to be the situation regarding the liberalization of visas even a year after the ratification of the Agreement, which was believed to be the last condition standing as an obstacle to the liberalization of visas for citizens of Kosovo. Meanwhile, the situation worsened even more. The time of the European elections approached. In Kosovo, the fight against organized crime and corruption slowed down even more, nepotism increased even more in public services, the idea of ​​changing borders came to the surface, which increased concerns that it could bring new tensions, and more this also encourages more emigration from Kosovo.

In the EU, only some procedures are done very slowly, but with the condition that there is no movement towards the final act, towards the formal lifting of visas. The European Parliament was the only one that approved the mandate for negotiations with the EU Council on visa liberalization. But in the Council, apart from some discussions in the working groups, the issue has not moved at all. Some influential countries, such as France and the Netherlands, but also others, are against the decision to liberalize visas for Kosovars at this moment. They are especially opposed to this topic being decided before the European elections, which will take place at the end of May this year. Germany, through the statement of the minister for European affairs, has promised that it is in favor and will work in Brussels to make visa liberalization a reality. But it still remains to be seen how sincerely Germany is engaging in Brussels for the liberalization of visas for Kosovo. So far, no concrete signs of Germany's commitment in this direction have been seen. At this moment, Kosovo does not need support from Germany, but needs a commitment from Germany to convince other countries, especially Germany's main traditional partner in the EU, France. If France and Germany agree then the other countries will no longer have any clear objection.

Thus, the lack of will in some EU countries, the failure of the courts in Kosovo, the idea of ​​changing the borders, which is thought to increase tensions, the European elections are just some of the reasons why today the enthusiasm for visa liberalization for Kosovars is stronger. smaller than a year ago, when the Agreement on the demarcation of the border with Montenegro was ratified, and that Kosovars wanted to believe that it was really the last condition that had to be fulfilled.

There are many reasons to be disappointed with the EU. But it must be admitted that no one from the EU has given promises about when the liberalization can happen. At least such promises did not come from those who have the power to decide. They have often come from officials involved in facilitating the dialogue, to extract compromises from the Kosovar side, but they have not been able to fulfill their promises. The promises came mainly from irresponsible politicians of Kosovo. But some EU officials, including EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, and Commissioner Johannes Hahn, have helped Kosovo's politicians manipulate public opinion and make unrealistic promises of rapid visa liberalization. Instead of coming out with a statement that this will not happen soon, they either by silence or by statements have helped to create such an impression. High Representative Mogherini even said once in an interview for RTK that "Ratification of the Agreement on the border with Montenegro will immediately mean the liberalization of visas: now, when we recall such statements, the EU clarifies that they thought in "continuing the procedure" and not in removing the visas immediately.

But even in the EU there are those who want to blame others. In the questions about why liberalization did not follow after the ratification of the Agreement on the border with Montenegro? Some EU officials answer that "Ramush Haradinaj is to blame, who waited so long with the ratification. If the agreement had been ratified earlier, then it would be the most appropriate moment for liberalization!". So now they tell us that a year ago the ratification happened too late to achieve visa liberalization. In any case, with the passage of time, it seems that this year is also being lost as a visa liberalization deadline. Even if the decision is approved in the Council in the summer, it will take time to pass through the negotiations with the Parliament in the autumn, and thus the end of the year will approach. So the Kosovars have nothing else but to wait, as they have been waiting for 15 ten years now. But they should bear in mind that even now there are no promises for any definite deadline for when the visas will be liberalized.