Kosovo, Turkey Sign Visa-Free Travel Pact

Pristina and Ankara will on Tuesday sign a bilateral agreement on the free movement of people, officials said, so holders of Kosovo passports may travel to Turkey without a visa or any bureaucratic procedure.

In his first visit to Kosovo, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan pledged to intensify political, economic and cultural cooperation with Kosovo, adding that he believed there would be an increase in the number of Arab countries that recognize Kosovo as an independent state since its February 2008 secession from Serbia.

“We are having a historic visit in Kosovo, with which we have historic connections," Babacan said. "Kosovo has a positive attitude which can contribute to stability in the region.”

Turkey is the second country after Albania to sign a visa liberalization agreement with Kosovo. Until now,  holders of UNMIK and Kosovo passports needed to get a € 25 visa at the embassy prior to departure, while those with Yugoslav passports had to pay € 10 for a visa at the border.

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said he wished for "a new era" in bilateral relations and welcomed Turkey's presence and investment in Kosovo. As part of a broader plan to strenghten relations, the Economic Chamber of Kosovo signed a cooperation agreement with Turkey's Business Council.