Movement with visas for Albanians, MEPJ: False news, there is no such initiative from any EU country

11:53 19/10/2022

The Foreign Ministry has said through a press statement that there is no plan, initiative, document proposed by any EU member country and no discussion regarding the possibility of suspending the visa-free movement of Albanian citizens.

The reaction of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs comes after some news that have circulated in some media, but also the public reactions of some political forces.

MEPJ statement

During the last few days, in some media but also through the public reactions of some political forces, the news has spread about the possibility of suspending the visa-free regime for Albanian citizens as a result of the increase in the number of illegal immigrants who pass to the European Union through the so-called “Balkan road.”

We would like to inform the citizens that these news are completely untrue. There is no plan, no initiative, no document proposed by any EU member country and no discussion regarding the possibility of suspending the visa-free movement of Albanian citizens. This news seems to be simply the product of certain interests at a time when in Brussels it is being discussed to find as soon as possible and without further unjustified delays the possibility to recognize the right of free movement to the citizens of Kosovo. It is unfortunate that such a fake news, easily verifiable for the media or political forces, has found an echo in the public sphere in Albania.

Albania is a trusted partner of the EU and if there are concerns about the increase in the number of illegal immigrants on the so-called ‘Balkan route’, they have been and are being treated seriously and in close cooperation with our European partners. Our country was the first in the region to sign the agreement with Frontex and has exemplary cooperation with all EU agencies and member countries in dealing with illegal immigration. The fact that on November 3-4, in Tirana, the Ministerial of the Ministers of Justice and Internal Affairs of the EU and the Western Balkans will be held is an expression of this appreciation for our work.

We guarantee the Albanian citizens that they are not endangered at all and at any moment by the right to move without visas in the EU space./broread