By Martin Banks - 7th October 2010
Visa-free travel will promote the European integration of Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Sarah Ludford
MEPs have welcomed the outcome of a plenary vote which grants visa-free travel to the EU's Schengen zone for nationals of Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Most EU states plus three non-EU states belong to Schengen and the decision in Brussels on Thursday now passes to member states for their sign-off.
Leading the chorus of approval was EPP shadow rapporteur Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, who said, "I am happy that the Albanian and Bosnian people will soon have the possibility to travel without a visa to EU Schengen countries",
"Personally, I shared the plight of the siege in Sarajevo and the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina for years. The plea of a young generation who felt locked in and left behind has been close to my heart since I entered parliament."
She said the EPP was "committed to accelerating the process of visa liberalisation in every way, treating all countries of the western Balkans equally".
"We congratulate the Albanian and Bosnian authorities for the results achieved in meeting the necessary criteria," she said.
"Reforms like strengthening the rule of law and combating crime and corruption are important for the people of the region.
"People to people contact and breaking the sense of isolation is important to promote stability in the region in a European perspective.
"The people of Bosnia Herzegovina and Albania should see the light at the end of the tunnel and be able to travel without a visa to the EU Schengen area by Christmas."
The S&D group said the vote in the mini Brussels plenary brings closer the prospect of EU membership for Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Leading figures in the 184-strong Socialist group have now set out demands for further action, calling on the Albanian government in particular to respond to their demands.
S&D member Tanja Fajon, who presented a report recommending visa-exemption, said, "I am delighted parliament supported visa liberalisation for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania with a strong majority.
"We decided about the destiny of ordinary people, not those who have money, political elites or business people.
"We decided specifically on the mobility of young students. Visa liberalisation for the western Balkans is of great importance in strengthening economic and political cooperation, and in particular to strengthen relations between people.
"Kosovo remains a serious problem, and we have to find solution as soon as possible for the people there, since their isolation and frustration after the abolition of visas for the five western Balkan countries is justifiably even greater.
"I now hope that we will have an agreement with ministers at first reading. This would allow citizens of the two countries to travel freely to spend Christmas with relatives elsewhere in Europe."
The ALDE group, parliament's third biggest political grouping, was equally happy with the outcome of the vote.
One of its most senior MEPs, Sarah Ludford, said, "The EU is a project designed for security in the broadest sense through opening minds and horizons in order to build a continent of peace and prosperity.
"Visa-free travel will promote the European integration of Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina through widening the experience and outlook of its citizens and combating nationalism, conflict and ethnic hatred, thereby increasing security of EU citizens too.
"Visa waiver is of course a privilege not to be abused, only for short term tourist, visitor and business travel.
"With the two states concerned having fulfilled all the required conditions concerning law enforcement, corruption and illegal migration, it would be a betrayal of a solemn 'road map' promise of long standing for any member state now to block it."
