If you have been following the news lately then you must have heard about the European Commission’s decision to grant visa-free travel to three Balkan countries – Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, while Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo where left out for technical reasons.
From the people that I have been talking to as well as from my own opinion of this issue, I have to say that the news did not come as of a particular surprise to most. However, the fiasco of the general elections might have had something to do with the general disregard for the news. There is that sense that in a time of regular disillusionment by politicians and the government what can one more bad news do to us?
Well, for starters, there is a new sense of being left out almost to the point of direct discrimination by the European Commission. I say this, not only for Albanians, but also for Bosnia & Herzegovinians and Kosovars in particular as well.
But is this destiny, “fate”, or are we always making the wrong decisions at the wrong time?
As I bring this thought out, I purposely am reminded of the two different worldviews that dominate this region. There are those that due to their eastern cultural and religious influences from past centuries tend to view things as just ‘destiny’ or ‘fate’! However, there are an ever growing number of people who are of the conviction that ‘we decide our own destiny’ or that ‘we are responsible for it’. Both however present a very interesting pessimistic view.
If the first view is true, then we might as well give up and just go on back to survival mode. If the second view is true, then may be our efforts are not good enough for the EC!
Though I sense that there is more truth in the later than the prior, the fact remains that we cannot afford to be overcome by a sense of pessimism, but rather should focus on getting things right on our part and pushing with the EC to bring about the desired results.
Times have changed and we as Albanians need to search out for a new ‘fate’ if you will. The new sense of discontent and perception of discrimination lets me know that we as Albanians are starting to view things differently, though very slowly, I must admit.
This is such a shame for Albanians in Albania, many of who I know are desperate to travel more freely. Who knows the real reason for Albania missing out this time. I read it was “technicalities”, but I always get the feeling there is something more.
TUNG PO MARIM 1 SHEMBULL ALBANIA DHE SERBIA,ALBANIA KURRE SKA BERE LUFTE DHE ME ME SHKUAR TE VENDI I TJETRIT ME I VRARE ATA DHE ESHTE VENDI ME MIKPRITES NE BOTE KETE E KEMI.SERBIA KA BERE CMOS NE BOSNJE KOSOVO CROACIA LUFTE I KA VRARE ME MILIONA NJEREZ DHE PO E FUSIN PARA ALBANIAS NE VIZEN SHENGE ESHTE FAKT PSE SNA DO EU NEVE SE JEMI POPULL I PASTER, PO TE ISHIM SHEJTAN SI EU NA KISHTE FUTUR NE EU JO NE VIZA SHENGEN DHE JEMI MUSLIMANE ,DHE SHIFE NA KANE LENE NE FUND FARE PO PSE.PER TE HURE NE EU DO NA FUSIN KUR SKANE CFARE TE BEJNE NGA ZORI JO NGA QEFI,FUCK EU LONG LIFE USA
TO FIONA BOSTICKY HI IS NORMAL EVERY ONE LIKE FREDOM .YOU FROM POLAND I THINK ,IS NOTHINK MORE ABOUT ALBANIAN BUT THE EVIL HELP EVIL WI ALBANIAN NOT ARE EVIL THIS IS SOMETHINK MORE BYE
What exactly were the technical issues? Biometric passports? Didnt Sagem SA win the tender to produce them?
Hi
Great blog. To be honest, I didn’t think we would get visa-free travel this year. Our mentality as such has nothing to do with it. I believe the formula for achieving visa-free travel is a simple one, specifically strengthening border controls, and introducing biometric passports for all. I doubt this is rocket science for the government. Personally I cannot help feeling a bit of apathy towards the EU but they’ve set the benchmark and we must reach it if we really want this to happen.
This is bad for business. I work in Spain a lot and need to travel freely. How can they prevent free travel in such a bad way. They should start treating us all the same way!
albania was left out for only one reason bicause there is Muslim country
long life us
f… EU
Hello
I am d2b from http://www.clickromania.co.uk
Recently I wrote something that involves Albanians in UK. I think I have been misjudged by some readers as I keep getting email from angry people.
http://www.clickromania.co.uk/content/view/653/8/
I am inviting you to write for CR – clickromania.co.uk if you have time and the desire to do it. You will get a link back to your blog if you decide to do so.
Regards
d2b
the French Consulate General in London
As from June the 1st 2009, nationals from Mauritius, Seychelles, Barbados, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Christopher and Nevis are exempted from visa for stays up to 90 days in the Schengen States and the european territories of France. Visas are no more issued except if the destination of the travel is situated in a oversea territory of France or if the purpose of the travel in France is to have a paid activity.
source : https://www.alovize.com/vize/Fransa-vizesi
well i cant see the ereason y Albanians in albania cant travel free we deserve more than that , its stupid to let pols . romanians and some other countrys, they r rubish compare to Albania even though half of the Albanians r around the world and doing well , and sumtimes we dont e ven want to join Eu… coz we want to keep our ppl safe and we dont want to mix our race , i can see all albanians going back home 1 day including me i wont want my kids to grow up in london coz i want them be human beins, and to know the meaning of what family is, god bles Albanians .
This is a good thing.
You can’t keep the borders close for people that wants to visits their family.