Kosovan Prime Minister, Albin Kurti has criticized the European Council’s decision to lift visa requirements for Serbian citizens in Kosova, calling it an obstacle to their integration.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, allows Serbian citizens with passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate to travel freely within the Schengen Area. This right has been available to other Kosova citizens since January 1, 2024.

The Serbian Coordination Directorate operates under Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, and its passports are not recognized by the official authorities in Prishtina.

Kurti described the decision as “unjust, harmful, and discouraging for the integration of Serbs“. He added, “Despite this, our democratic and independent Republic of Kosovo has strengthened its passport system more than ever before. However, our ability to influence Brussels’ decisions remains limited”.

Serbian citizens with passports issued by the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs have been able to travel without visas since December 2009.

According to Kosova Police, as of December 31, 2023, 6,310 individuals with Serbian citizenship applied for a Kosova passport. In 2016, there were approximately 76,807 individuals holding passports issued by the Coordination Directorate.

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