Citizens of North Mitrovica: Visa liberalization very significant for Serbs from Kosovo

Visa liberalization for holders of passports from the Coordination Directorate of the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs in North Mitrovica would be very significant, with some residents already planning trips and choosing destinations.

Young man Luka Masic says he is already planning where he will travel after obtaining visa liberalization.

"It would be a kind of liberation for us, we could travel somewhere abroad. I plan to travel to Amsterdam," Masic says.

Dragan Mitrovic agrees with him, stating that he would use it for traveling.

"I don't even know why they abolished it, if we belong to the population of Serbia. I can't understand why they separate cities and populations of the same country, those in Belgrade, Novi Pazar, Cacak, and us from here. It means a lot, and for leaving, even if nothing else, I would at least go as a tourist for about three months," Mitrovic replies.

Srecko Radojevic notes that people from this area will gain freedom of movement.

"We have been closed off for so many years, as if we were in some closed world, as they say, 'a blind spot'. Freedom of movement should be available to these people here too. I would most like to travel to Greece," Radojevic says.

Jadranka Sapic also sees the possible visa liberalization for holders of Coordination Directorate passports as a good thing.

"It is definitely good. You are free to travel. With the little money we have, we should have somewhere to spend it. It's definitely good, so we can also get involved with the citizens of Serbia, because we are also citizens of Serbia," Sapic says.

At yesterday's meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs (LIBE), a decision on visa liberalization for passports from the Coordination Directorate was adopted. There were 34 votes in favor, seven against, and 12 abstentions.

The next procedural step is adoption at the EP plenary session in Strasbourg on April 22-25. After that, the proposal should be formally confirmed by the EU Council.