Osmani arrives in Brussels, pessimistic about visa liberalization

June 23, 2022

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has arrived at the EU headquarters in Brussels to participate in the EU Summit with the countries of the Western Balkans.

Osmani before the start of the Summit in a statement to reporters said that she hopes to reach an agreement on visa liberalization for Kosovo, although she does not want to increase expectations.

“I certainly hope so. I do not want to increase expectations, as this process is no longer in our hands. Kosovo has met all the criteria regarding visa liberalization since 4 years ago and has also responded to all the concerns that member states have had. It is time for EU member states to support this, as it is a great injustice to the people of Kosovo. Hundreds of millions of people from all over the world, including Venezuela, have freedom of movement. And the people of Kosovo with less than 2 million inhabitants do not have this. We have met all the criteria. The European Commission has confirmed this, the European Parliament has said this. “EU member states must listen to the voice of their people, which is reflected in the European Parliament.”

Osmani said that she is in Brussels to speak on behalf of the people of Kosovo.

“We belong to the European family, we have contributed for centuries to the values for which the EU stands. I am also here to send a strong message from the people of Kosovo that we need a clear and united message from the EU for the Western Balkans, as there is more room for malignant factors they will use this.

Osmani also said that she supports the candidacy of Ukraine and Moldova for EU membership, and that their membership would only benefit the countries of the Western Balkans, as the EU would understand that it is of geostrategic and geopolitical importance.

“The people of Ukraine and Moldova deserve it, because those people, like the citizens of Kosovo, stand by the values of the EU and are ready to give their lives to join the EU and stay with the values of Europe,” Osmani said.

She added that Kosovo has only the Euro-Atlantic path and that it will continue in that direction, unlike Serbia which is trying to follow two paths, that of Moscow and the EU.

“So far, unfortunately, Serbia has not shown willingness to side with the EU in terms of sanctions against Russia. In this regard, in addition to damaging its European perspective, it is also damaging the region with Russian influence “, said Osmani.