PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — The European Union’s delay in allowing Kosovo’s citizens to be visaless has sown consternation and resentment in the continent’s last state, and a Pristina businessman has retaliated by beating EU officials where it hurts the most: their stomachs.
Mama’s restaurant owner Shpetim Pevqeli, 50, who has been concerned about workers at the EU Rule of Law Mission headquarters across the street for more than a decade, posted a sign on Tuesday that read: “Demonstration, entry prohibited, for EU citizens without a visa.
While this might seem like a coup, Kosovars’ frustration with the delay in entering the 27-nation bloc’s so-called Schengen visa-free zone is real. As things stand, they have to wait hours to apply for a visa to the EU, where many have a circle of family members.
“I have an official invitation from Austria. But I waited and waited and waited. What can I do now? Faik Ibriqi, 60, angry, queuing at the Swiss diplomatic representation where many Kosovars apply for the Schengen visa.
Last week, Kosovars expected EU leaders to meet to discuss, among other things, their country’s accession to clients on the issue. But this has not been discussed.
In July 2018, Kosovo met all the required visa liberalization criteria. The European Commission, the bloc’s arm and the European Parliament have called for joining the visa-free regime.
It does not mean that five EU member countries have not even recognised Kosovo as a country. Pristina declared its independence in 2008, following its de facto secession from Serbia after a war in 1998-1999.
While still living in a province of the former Yugoslavia, the Kosovars, who are mostly ethnic Albanians, could not move anywhere. Now, some of them turn to neighboring Albania, which has Schengen, to get a passport.
“Someone has to pass to their aunt or brother (in the EU) and when we found out (there is no EU decision) we were desperate, humiliated and that’s where the idea came from” of banning EU workers, Pevqeli said. , the owner of the restaurant.
“We have to do something, a demonstration because (the visa situation) is smart and the demonstration will show our resentment, our despair,” he added.
Last week, Kosovo’s disillusioned President Vjosa Osmani said peace and stability in Europe were possible without the integration of Western Balkan nations.
“Kosovars need more opportunities and progress. They need a visa-free regime to see, feel and live in Europe,” he said, adding that Kosovo’s citizens “remain isolated in the center of the continent where they are concentrated. “
Kosovo lost more than 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, in the 1998-1999 struggle to secede from Serbia. It ended after a 78-day NATO bombing crusade forced Serbia to withdraw its troops and give in to the United Nations and NATO.
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. The United States and most Western countries recognize Kosovo’s independence, but Serbia, subsidized by its allies, Russia and China, does not.
Pevqeli said he was convinced that no EU official would come to eat. “They will perceive that the signal is for them and they will respect it,” he said.
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Llazar Semini reported from Tirana, Albania.