One year from the Visa Facilitation Agreement. What has really changed?, January 2009

EMA shares with you the recent publication “One year from the Visa Facilitation Agreement. What has really changed?” prepared by the policy research team, with the support of Balkan Trust for Democracy, a Project of the German Marshall Fund.

The entry into force of the Visa Facilitation Agreement (VFA) between Albania and the European Community on 1 January 2008 captured the interest of Albanian citizens in a particular way because Albania is classified under the group of the most isolated countries of the world. The correct implementation of the VFA together with progress in the area of justice, freedom and security will enable the European Commission to propose to the EU Member States to lift their visa regimes.

Therefore, our study analyses the level of implementation of the VFA. At the same time, it sheds light on the gaps identified in practice during one year of its implementation and proposes specific recommendations, which aim at improving the situation and increasing the public confidence in this process. Here you can download the publication “One year from the Visa Facilitation Agreement. What has really changed?, in English or Albanian.

  One year from the Visa Facilitation Agreement