 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Former Yugoslav republics fete visa-free travel to Europe |
| Belgrade, 19.12.2009 |
|
| 19.12. 2009 - Agence France-Presse
BELGRADE, Dec 19, 2009 (AFP) -
Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro Saturday feted the abolition of European visa restrictions for citizens after almost 18 years as a return of the Balkans to the continent.
"So it works! Serbian citizens can really cross the border without visas," said Serbias Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic early Saturday after crossing the border with Hungary.
Since the first minutes of Saturday (2300 GMT Friday), citizens of the three former Yugoslav republics who have a biometric passport can travel visa-free to EU countries, except Britain and Ireland, which are not a part of the Schengen zone.
Visas had been introduced as the former Yugoslav communist federation was dissolving in a series of bloody wars in early 1990s.
"We have fought for that. We needed almost 20 years, but its better late than never," Jeremic told Serbian state television.
"Today, Serbia is closer to Europe than it was yesterday."
All three republics aspire to join the European Union: Macedonia has been a candidate since 2005, Montenegro has applied in December 2008, while the Serbian government will meet later Saturday to decide when to submit its candidacy.
The interior ministers of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia congratulated their citizens in a joint statement, saying they could rejoin the "European family."
"This is a strong encouragement for the integration of the Western Balkans towards the EU," they said.
In Skopje, thousands of people celebrated in the centre of the capital despite the freezing cold as Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski hailed an "historic moment."
"The wall of visas has fallen for Macedonia. It is great, even though I will not travel anywhere since I have no money," said 20-year old Macedonian student Slavco Ivanov.
"I know now that when I will be able to travel, I would not have to wait in lines in front of the embassies and gather tons of documents to obtain a visa," he said.
Despite the new freedom, the borders with neighbouring Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania, the first EU frontiers, were calm and far from crowded, local media reported.
"The economic crisis and swine flu have undoubtely contributed to it," said Srdja Kovacevic, the owner of a travel agency in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica.
Shortly after midnight, a group of 50 Serbian nationals left for a visit to several EU countries in a trip sponsored by the government and supported by the European Commission and the embassies of France, Italy and Germany.
Beside Brussels, they will also visit Rome, Berlin and Paris, spending two days in each of the capitals.
"These are ordinary people who have done something extraordinary and have so far never seen Europe," Bozidar Djelic, Serbia's deputy prime minister, told a press conference.
The Macedonian government is also planning to organize a symbolic trip to Paris for some of its citizens.
In Montenegro, the authorities announced a celebratory visit by 100 citizens to Rome for Sunday.
burs-pg/an/ach
odkaz na stránku
Serbia-Macedonia-Montenegro-EU-visas
AFP 191304 GMT 12 09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Address : Euro-Brew Ltd., Hlboká 22, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia
Tel. : +421 33 53 418 53, Fax : +421 33 53 418 52, E-mail : info@eurobrew.sk |
|
|
