The new regime, which entered into force at midnight (2300
GMT Sunday), enables Kosovars into the passport-free Schengen zone without a
visa for periods of up to 90 days in any 180 days.
The reform is perceived in Pristina as another step towards
full recognition and a boost for the ambition of the country that proclaimed
independence in 2008 to join the European Union.
“This is a great relief … feels good,” businessman Rushit
Sopi told AFP before boarding a Pristina-Vienna flight.
He was among 20 winners of a quiz organised by the
government within a public awareness campaign over the scheme.
The 48-year-old owner of a company manufacturing doors and
windows flying almost regularly to the EU for business.
“Each visa cost me 300 euros ($331). When I last changed my
passport, I calculated that the EU visas alone in it cost me 2,500 euros.”
European embassies in Pristina, notably those exposed to
strong pressure to issue visas, such as the German consulate, had prepared for
no visa D-Day.
German ambassador Jorn Rohde himself issued the last visas
to Kosovars a few days ago stressing that the visa era was “finally closing”.
He also invited locals to visit his country for this
summer’s Euro football championship.
‘Second-class citizens’
Kosovars had awaited January 1 with great enthusiasm
perceiving it as a “historic day” as their country moves closer to the EU,
local surveys showed.
But they also blamed both Brussels and Pristina for such a
long delay in lifting the visa regime.
Kosovo, a population of 1.8 million, was the last of the six
countries in the Western Balkans to receive the waiver.
“Until now, Europe has treated us as second-class citizens,”
said engineer Agim Gosalci, 61.
“Our politicians are also responsible for such a long wait
because one of the conditions for visa liberalisation was the fight against
corruption and organised crime,” translator Adelina Kasolli, 33, said.
With average wages at slightly above 400 euros and youth
unemployment over 20 per cent, Kosovo ranks among Europe’s poorest countries.
Emigration fears
For the past two months, the government in Pristina has been
conducting a campaign urging people not to misuse the freedom of travel by
looking for jobs in the EU.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti led the campaign himself
travelling throughout the country to explain the new regime’s benefits.
“This day is important. A great injustice is being removed
and a great right is being gained,” he told the quiz winners at Pristina
airport before they flew to Vienna.
The prime minister urged Kosovars “to respect the criteria,
and wherever we travel, let’s not forget that our home is Kosovo.”
His deputy in charge of European integration, Besnik
Bislimi, warned against the possible abuse of the regime which could lead to EU
restrictive measures that would “harm the entire country”.
Many also fear that it could also result in even greater
labour force shortages.
Around 18 per cent of private sector employees will quit
their jobs and try to emigrate this year, according to the Pristina-based
Riinvest Institute.
Sopi’s business could also feel the impact but on Monday he
was focused more on Vienna where he was taking his wife who had never travelled
to an EU country.
“The decision (to lift visas) is more than welcome,” said
his wife Valdete.
“We have family in Germany and Switzerland and it was time
to visit them.”
AFP