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France threatens to suspend visa liberalization for Kosovo

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, has threatened Kosovo again with the suspension of visa liberalization if the word that Kosovo has given regarding the extension of the situation in the north and the creation of the Association is not kept. The Foreign Ministry has said that they are not aware of a possible suspension process. Those in the know say that France, without the support of other countries, is unable to stop the free movement of Kosovars after January 1.

French President Emmanuel Macron has threatened to suspend visa liberalization for Kosovo.

In his visit to Tirana, which is the continuation of the Summit of the Berlin Process, which aims to develop the Western Balkans region, Macron had threatening tones for Kosovo.

He said that Kosovo is not keeping its word regarding the creation of the Association, the organization of elections in the north and the participation of Serbs in the elections and their return to institutions, which, according to him, were the reasons why France suspended the visa regime .
"I say it very clearly, we have made a gesture of good faith regarding the issue of visas. As for France, this (vj visa regime) has been suspended because of the word given, which has not been kept even today. I look forward to a serious commitment from both authorities to move forward in the coming weeks. It is even a key condition for peace in the region," said Macron.

The risk of banning visa-free movement in the Shëngen area after January 1 has also been mentioned by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, saying that it would be dramatic.

He added that this situation was created by Kosovo itself by creating arguments that, according to him, are annoying and disappointing its allies.

"It gives me goosebumps when I think that there may be a resumption in the visa liberalization process, but on the other hand, we should not keep asking the President of France. We must ask for it ourselves and we must do it in peace, Kosovo must do its part and then leave Serbia in the hands of the European Union and the United States", said Rama.

Instead of clarifying the situation as to whether there is a possibility of suspension of liberalization, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Donika Gërvalla, has distributed on social networks a flag of France with the inscription "Here we go".

However, her deputy in an answer to KOĖN stated that the MFA has no official notification, either for a decision or initiation of the suspension of visas for Kosovo by France.

The expert on European integration issues, Demush Shasha from the EPIK Institute, has stated that France alone is legally unable to suspend the liberalization of visas.

"If President Macron has a new attitude regarding the liberalization of visas, it is good to clarify. Today he only confused with his statement. There is zero possibility that France will unilaterally and on its own suspend the liberalization of visas. This is legally impossible," said Shasha.

At the joint conference, Macron also spoke briefly about the terrorist attack in Banjska of Zvečani, for which he asked Serbia to punish it severely.

"I think it is Mr. Vucic's responsibility to emphatically condemn the acts of September 24 because it contributes to the return of calm," Macron said.

E Rama added that the announcement of mourning by Serbia for the killed terrorists was scandalous.

He said that after the investigations, he expects punitive steps from the EU if there is involvement of Serbia in the attack.

During the meetings the day before that were held within the framework of the Berlin Process Summit, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, called on the EU member states to punish Serbia for the terrorist attack in Banjska.