SOURCE: Global post, Politika   1.07. 2013.

Self-proclaimed Government of Kosovo decided to introduce a visa regime for 87 countries in May 2013. It was said that the visa regime will be based on the “threats to security of the state of Kosovo and in the interest of international peace and stability”.

On July 1st, 2013, according to the Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kosovo has introduced a visa regime for 87 countries.

Based on the list published by the media, the visa regime will be, among others, applied to Russia and China, as well as Algeria, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya and Syria.

Edem Adzogenu from Ghana is the first foreign traveler who has got a visa in the consulate of Kosovo in Istanbul, which he was personally handed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Enver Hoxhaj.

“Edem Adzogenu from Ghana will be remembered in the history of Kosovo as the first foreign citizen with the visa of the Republic of Kosovo”, said Hoxhaj on that occasion, adding that Kosovo imposed a visa regime in order of protection from crime, mentioning smuggling and illegal migration.

“At the same time it will create opportunities for foreign citizens to visit our country for tourism, education and business”, said Enver Hoxhaj.

Consulate in Istanbul, in which was given the first Kosovo’s visa since the declaration of independence in 2008, will serve as the main center for issuing visas to the citizens of Asian and African countries.