No more visas for Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro?

Facilitating an entry without any visa depends on several criteria, among which are: the introduction of biometric passports, efficient border-checks, fighting organized crime and human trafficking as well as respecting basic and human rights.

Till the end of September Serbia has to present a report proving that Serbs from the Kosovo who have been issued a biometric passport by Belgrade cannot claim any visa-less entry into the EU. Montenegro still has to define the status of foreigners, as the country is a favourite destination for tourists, and has to continue its fight against corruption and crime.

By abolishing compulsory visas citizens from the Balkan-countries are free to enter the whole Schengen-area, which also comprises Switzerland, Norway and Iceland (Great Britain and Ireland are not part of the Schengen-area).

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber supports the plans of the EU-Commission, demanding quick realization and extension to other Balkan States. ”Requiring no more visas means important impulses for the Austrian economy, which is well-established on the western Balkan and ranks among the top investors in a time which is difficult enough”, Anna-Maria Hochhauser, secretary-general of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber WKO explains. Obtaining a visa means considerable bureaucratic efforts and financial costs for both, private people and sales agents. Hochhauser thinks that the freedom to travel would help business partners of Austrian enterprises on the Balkan.