Antonijevic: The abolition of visas has ended a longstanding injustice and closed a black hole in the region

Lawyer Milan Antonijevic says that with the EU's decision to abolish visas for holders of Serbian passports from Kosovo, a long-standing injustice has finally been corrected, effectively closing the only black hole in the region.

"In this way, a longstanding injustice has finally been corrected, where part of the Serbian population could not exercise their rights like everyone else in the region, thus covering the only black hole in the region. The fact that they will now be able to travel to EU countries without a visa shows what European integration means, the goodwill of Brussels, but also the significant pressure from Serbia, from organizations to individuals who pointed out this injustice," Antonijevic told Kosovo Online.

Antonijevic adds that Pristina is trying in every possible way to send a message that it is the only one deciding on the rights of Serbs in Kosovo.

"In this case, the EU has very clearly stated that it does not want to create a group of second-class Serbs from Kosovo but will equalize their rights with those living on the other side of the Ibar River or the other side of Merdare. I believe that in this way, Pristina loses certain arguments because I don't see why one should fight against the rights of someone who is your neighbor, who lives on the same territory, as it sends a very bad message. If you want Serbs to stay in northern Kosovo, then you must fight for their rights in every possible way, not try to diminish or prevent Brussels from equalizing those rights," he added.