Participation at Visa Conference in Brussels

On 19 November 2009, Mr. Ilir Qorri, Program Director of EMA, took part in the Conference “Visa Liberalisation in the Balkans: time for the breakthrough”, organized jointly by ESI – European Stability Initiative and EPC – European Policy Center.This activity was held on the occasion of the close visa liberalisation decision making for countries of Western Balkans by European Union.

The aim of this Policy Dialogue was to present where these countries stand with fulfilling the criteria laid down in the Roadmap towards visa free regime.The conference was moderated by Ms. Rosa Balfour, Senior Policy Analyst at EPC, while the panel included Ms. Ana Vukadinovic, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Samir Rizvo, Assistant Minister at Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Fisnik Rexhepi, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Interior of Kosovo, Mr. Luigi Soreca, Head of Unit at the External Relations and Enlargement, DG JLS, Ms. Alexandra Stiglmayer, Director of ESI’s Schengen White List Project.

During the open discussion, Mr. Ilir Qorri took the floor and spoke about Albania’s readiness to profit from the visa liberalisation in the near future. Mr. Qorri highlighted the importance that this process enjoys among every circle of Albanian society, but from the other side visa liberalisation should not be confused with the possibility to work and study in the EU countries. A good cooperation is required between the Albanian government and civil society is required to ensure the proper information to the citizens.