Croatia, Albania To Start Talks On Visa Liberalization

TIRANA, June 2 – Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic said, during a visit to Tirana, that both countries would launch technical talks on liberalizing the visa regime between their countries. However, such decisions will depend upon rules already enforced by the European Union, since the country hopes to become a member in the near future.
The Croatian minister also met with President Bamir Topi and Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
The two foreign ministers said during a news conference that their countries will begin negotiations for a liberalization of the visa regime on June 20.
Croatia is considered in line for EU membership, possibly in two years.
Meanwhile, Albania has received the roadmap from Brussels setting its obligations toward a full visa liberalization.
It was Albanian President Bamir Topi who asked Croatian Presidient Stipe Mesic to assist in having Croatia liberalize its visa regime for Albanian citizens, arguing that this would contribute to the free movement of people and goods and an intensification of the economic ties between the two countries.
The two countries are also seeking to proceed with a direct connection by air between Tirana and Zagreb. The two ministers jointly appealed to Macedonia to remain calm following violent incidents in its recent elections, saying its stability is of primary importance to the region.
Both Albania and Croatia received NATO membership invitations at the summit in Bucharest in April and are now expecting to sign the formal request in July.
The invitation for membership has to be ratified by all NATO member countries. Tirana and Zagreb hope to become NATO members at next year’s summit when the organization also celebrates its 60th anniversary.