Nezavisne novine: SARAJEVO – Introduction of biometric passports, protection of personal data and documents, and combating organized crime are the key preconditions for abolishment of visas for the citizens of BiH, for which there are no deadlines.
Guidelines (“road map”) for liberalization of visa regime was yesterday given to the foreign affairs minister of BiH, Sven Alkalaj, by the director of the Directorate General for Enlargement of the European Commission, Mile Lee.
“The European Union did not set any political criteria for abolishment of visas for our citizens who want to travel in the European countries. In the “road map” they asked for control of migrations and combating illegal migrations, and insurance of security of documents. I think that significant part of the job stemming from this document we already completed”, said Alkalaj after receiving the document with guidelines.
Lee said that there are no deadlines for abolishment of visas for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We have not set any deadlines, because the speed of liberalization depends on fulfillment of conditions. The authorities of BiH know what they have to do, and we have very strong messages that they want to do it as soon as possible”, said Lee.
He stressed that the EU already approved visa benefits to the citizens of BiH, and that giving of the guidelines for complete abolishment of visas is a confirmation of determination of the citizens of BiH for integration in the EU society.
Nataša Vodušek, ambassador of Slovenia in BiH, the country which until the end of this month chairs the European Union, stressed that this event as well is a confirmation of determination of Slovenia for quickened pace of the west Balkans countries to the EU.
Biometric passports from March 2009
The citizens of BiH will be able to have the biometric passport in March next year, confirmed Alkalaj.
“Preparations for introduction of biometric passports are ongoing and we expect that their issuing will start in March next year. The European Union does not require from us that all the citizens immediately have new passports, but to introduce them successively”, said Alkalaj.