Visa exemption for the Balkans

The EU Parliament has voted by a large majority for the abolition of visa requirements for citizens from the states of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. The daily Večer complains that the new rules which are to take effect on December 19, 2009, will not apply for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo: "The countries themselves are partially to blame for this, for they fall far short … of the EU's economic and political requirements. And yet of all countries these two in particular, with their ethnic make-ups which for many make them ticking time bombs, needed an incentive from the EU. This refusal to waive visa requirements could add fuel to the smouldering fire of nationalism. … On the other hand some EU countries like Austria and Italy fear an onrush of people looking for work. This fear is unfounded because there are enough safety mechanisms in place. But unfortunately these countries forget that the young people of the Balkans played no part in the war, and that they too deserve the chance of a decent and less humiliating life." 

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