In the coming weeks and months, the EU will decide on the visa-free travel of the citizens of the Western Balkan countries to the Schengen zone.

On this occasion, the European Stability Initiative (ESI) has sent a letter to the EU institutions and EU Member States urging that “based on what has been achieved so far (acceleration of reform efforts in the Western Balkans, numerous visits to the region by EU experts, and detailed analysis of progress by the European Commission), it is in fact possible to address both concerns – to be both strict and fair – at once.” In its letter, ESI notes that “the visa requirement has been a matter of frustration, contributing to doubts as to whether the Western Balkans’ European perspective is real. Now, however, renewed enthusiasm and hope have appeared.” For this reasons, the think-tank proposes that save of Macedonia, which meets fully all of the criteria for visa liberalization, other countries (Serbia and Montenegro, which are almost there and Albania and BiH, which still have some way to go) are also included in the decision with effectiveness of the decision once all criteria are fulfilled. Finally, ESI reminds that Kosovo has been fully out of this process and measure should be taken not to further isolate it. For full letter and other information on ESI’s project visit their website. [ESI]