The European Parliament lent its support on Thursday to the opening of negotiations on a liberalization of the visa regime for the citizens of Kosovo.

A total of 420 MEPs voted to support the proposal after rapporteur Tanja Fajon told the session that Kosovo met all conditions for the liberalization of the visa regime.

European Union member states now have to decide whether to instruct their foreign ministers to support the proposal after Fajon meets with representatives of all member states.

The vote in the European Parliament was moved up from the originally scheduled date in October at the request of some parliament groups.

The European Commission said on July 18 that Kosovo met all 95 conditions and proposed the visa liberalization. Holders of Kosovo passports are the only citizens of the region who cannot travel to Schengen zone countries without a visa.

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