“Visa Liberalization: What it actually means?”

On 2 April 2010, European Movement in Albania (EMA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania, in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) organized the conference: “Visa Liberalization: What it actually means?”
This conference offered an analysis of the visa liberalization process for Albanian citizens informing the public opinion what it actually means.

Mr. Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of EMA opened the conference emphasizing the importance of this process, which stands not only in its successful conclusion but also in the experience gained. This experience helps to draw lessons and to enhance the performance of the state structures and other stakeholders (civil society, media, business, and academic circles) involved in the framework of the European integration process. “The achievement of visa liberalization will break down not only the physical barriers but also the psychological ones accumulated through decades, bringing a pragmatic approach  to the Albanian citizens towards the integration process, with all costs and benefits it entails” concluded Mr. Gjipali.

Mr. Thomas Von Handel, Head of Political, Economic and Information Section, Delegation of the European Union to Albania, during his speech emphasized the progress that Albania has made on the visa liberalization process. He expressed the view that the involvement of all actors of the society in informing and raising awareness of the population is an important element that must be addressed not only in major cities but also outside them.

Ms. Blerta Hoxha, policy researcher at European Movement Albania presented the policy paper on monitoring the visa liberalization process. This paper provides a general overview of the context in which this process has been developed, focusing specifically on each of the Roadmap’s blocks. The implementation of criteria settled in the Roadmap and the progress in the visa liberalization process where some of the issues that Ms. Hoxha addressed during her presentation. Encouragement of a more open policy making involving non state-actors; focusing on the implementation of the legal framework; increasing the capacity and improving the quality of consular services for Albanian citizens at the consular offices in the countries of the Schengen area as well as  undertaking an extensive information campaign in order to create a realistic image and expectations; were some of the conclusions of the policy paper.

The perception of the EU institutions such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, and EU Member States towards the visa liberalization process, were in the focus of Ms. Alexandra Stiglmayer, Senior Analyst at European Stability Initiative (ESI). She stressed the situation that EU Member States have faced after three Western Balkan countries (Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro) benefited the visa free regime. The increasing number of asylum-seekers and growing trend of migration that has affected these countries were some of the results of visa liberalization. Despite these consequences, Ms. Stiglmayer mentioned that lifting the visa regime for three Western Balkan countries was a success story testifying that the visa liberalization works in practice. She stressed the importance of the information campaign that the Albanian government is starting emphasizing the attention to be paid to the measures for preventing illegal migration. Ms. Stiglmayer mentioned that the decision for visa free regime for Albania requires the fulfilment of criteria as well as a political will, which is needed to accelerate this process. The delay of this process breaks the political commitment that the European Parliament and Council of Ministers have taken last year in November. Regarding the procedures, Mr. Stiglmayer stressed that the decision for Albania is expected to be taken in one of the next meetings of the JHA Council, during the  second half of 2010:  on 7/8 October, 8/9 November or 2/3 December. After that, a minimum of 20 days are necessary for the decision to enter into force.

Ms. Sanja Kostovska, expert at Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) brought the Macedonian experience, stressing the positive factors, which contributed to the lifting of the visa regime such as the progress achieved in the 4 blocks of the Roadmap.  Furthermore, Ms. Kostovska underlined that cooperation with the actors of civil society is important not only before receiving the visa liberalization but also after it, because the EU pays special attention to cooperation among stakeholders and to the maintaining of the achieved standards.

In conclusion, the conference was followed by a discussion session where participants with different professional backgrounds such as diplomatic corps, policy researchers, academic and civil society, and journalist, discussed on this sensitive process. The conference was covered by main electronic and printed media.