European Commission: Western Balkan Partners Aligned with Visa-Free Regime

The European Commission, in its monitoring report on visa-free regimes, has confirmed the compliance of Western Balkan partners, including Serbia, with EU requirements for visa-free travel and provided recommendations for further improvements in this area.

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10.12.2024. 09:42

European Commission: Western Balkan Partners Aligned with Visa-Free Regime
Foto: AP/Virgina Mayo

The Commission announced today that it adopted its seventh report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism on December 6. This mechanism monitors the EU's visa-free regimes with Western Balkan partners, Eastern Partnership countries, and nations in the Eastern Caribbean and Latin America.

The report noted that Serbia, along with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, has taken actions to address several recommendations made in the sixth report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism. However, additional measures are needed, particularly aligning visa policies with those of the EU.

The report highlighted two recommendations for Serbia, focusing on further progress in aligning its visa policy with the list of countries requiring visas for entry into the EU and the full implementation of the clause regarding third-country nationals under the EU-Serbia readmission agreement.

It was noted that Serbia maintains a visa-free regime with 16 countries whose citizens require visas to enter the EU. However, the report also acknowledged Serbia’s introduction of a full visa regime for citizens of six countries to better align with EU policies.

Due to risks associated with irregular migration to the EU, the Commission expects Serbia to expedite progress in aligning its visa policies.

In the areas of migration cooperation, border management, and readmission, Serbia has continued to engage positively with the implementation of the EU Action Plan for the Western Balkans. It is also implementing a new integrated border management strategy for 2022–2027 and an action plan for 2022–2024.

The report also highlighted Serbia’s cooperation with Frontex, EU member states, and agencies such as Europol, Eurojust, and Interpol on security and border management issues.

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