The European Commission has appreciated Albania’s decision not to renew the seasonal visa exemption for Russian citizens. In the EC report of May 30, it is mentioned that this decision taken by the Albanian government is key for our country’s path towards the EU.

Along with the Russian Federation, visa-free entry of citizens from India and Egypt will also be prohibited. Now, Russians will have to apply for a visa at the Albanian embassy.

Meanwhile, the EC emphasizes that these decisions are important for reducing irregular arrivals to EU countries.

“The Commission also welcomes the decision taken by Albania not to renew the seasonal visa exemption for citizens of Egypt, India and Russia, as well as the decision by North Macedonia to reintroduce a visa requirement for citizens of Botswana, Cuba and Azerbaijan. These decisions are important and welcome steps towards the objective of reducing irregular arrivals to the EU along the Western Balkan route, although significant challenges remain,” the report reads.

Excerpts from the report:

“We remember a year ago, when Russia launched an unprecedented aggression in Ukraine, Albania was one of the first countries that sanctioned and condemned this attack. At that time, the local news debated whether Russian citizens would be deprived of the possibility of visa-free travel, but the head of the government Rama insisted that this would not happen as long as the EU countries had not done it either.

As a result, to visit Albania, Russian citizens must apply for a visa in accordance with the purpose of the trip, the Albanian diplomatic mission emphasizes.

/k.s/