About: visa liberalisation
An opportunity to end Kosovo’s isolation in Europe
The Covid-19 crisis with its overall ban on entry to the Schengen zone by non-EU residents and citizens may present a window of opportunity to allow visa free travel for Kosovars.
The EU must grant visa free travel to Kosovo
The EU finally needs to make good on its oft-repeated promise to grant visa free travel to Kosovo, says Behgjet Pachouli.
Visa liberalisation for Kosovo: The only tangible result for the foreseeable future
Visa liberalisation for Kosovo could prove crucial in maintaining leverage for the region, while alllowing for more time to seek a sustainable solution with Serbia, writes Donika Emini and Zoran Nechev.
EU enlargement: Tear down mental walls in the Balkans
Last week the European Commission dealt another blow to the Western Balkans by promising an accession strategy for Montenegro and Serbia while neglecting the other four Balkan countries, Hashim Thaçi, the president of Kosovo, writes in an exclusive op-ed for EURACTIV.
Turkey-EU relations deteriorate from gentleman’s agreement to sanctions rhetoric
The EU and Turkey should focus on working together, as they have both already proven that they are capable of doing so. The Customs Agreement and Visa Liberalisation frameworks are a good starting point, writes Ahmet Ceran.
Brussels’ Balkan approach: Little carrot, broken stick
Once staunchly pro-EU, Kosovars are losing patience with Brussels, which they accuse of prioritising Serbian accession over their own sovereignty, warns the mayor of Kosovo’s capital, Shpend Ahmeti.
The EU should be a more active contributor to the Cyprus issue
The Cyprus issue is a longstanding problem that many believe will remain unresolved forever. Nonetheless, in recent weeks, it has been drawing the attention of the media. Takis Hadjigeorgiou and Dimitris Papadimoulis explain what is at stake.
The West must stop hiding from truth about Turkey’s coup
Our 9/11. That is how many Turks see the failed 15 July coup d’état, writes Daniel Kawczynski. But it’s not a sentiment that resonates in the United Kingdom, Washington, Berlin or Brussels.
Georgia’s achievements must be recognised
Georgia has made big changes to meet its commitments to the EU. We must recognise this and not let them down on the question of visa-free travel, writes Heidi Hautala.
Time for EU to deliver on visa liberalisation promises
The refugee issue continues to haunt the EU. The bloc should press on with its plans to give Turkey visa liberalisation, as the refugee deal has reinvigorated EU-Turkey relations. This will positively impact on other areas too, writes Çiğdem Nas.
Erdogan’s apogee
Turks, being both friendly and political, usually ask visitors what they think of Turkey. Seldom nowadays do they like the answer, writes Andrew Duff.
Why Kosovo and the Balkans found relief in Austria’s election result
As president of the tiny Republic of Kosovo in the Western Balkans, Hashim Thaçi is the first one to admit to being very relieved by the results of the presidential elections in Austria.
Turkey’s visa liberalisation: An insult to the EU’s eastern neighbours?
While the EU may think that remaining silent on the more challenging issues of the visa liberalisation deal might be a price worth paying for dealing with the refugee crisis, it reflects the bloc’s desperation, writes Igor Merheim-Eyre.