Albania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the European Commission's proposal for visa free travel for Kosovo citizens in the Schengen area as an important step in facilitating contacts and further strengthening relations between Kosovo and the European Union.

Visa liberalization marks progress in the European integration process of Kosovo and makes more tangible the European perspective for Kosovo citizens. This perspective represents an indispensable support for the reform process for the countries of the region.

The proposal of the European Commission is recognition for the achievements of Kosovo’s state-building reforms, particularly in the rule of law.

Albania hopes for a quick approval of the European Commission's proposal by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, and thus fulfill one of the commitments of the 2003 Thessaloniki Summit visa free travel for citizens of six countries of the Western Balkans.