In a declaration on the media, the acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Gent Cakaj, clarified about the news that has circulated about the return of the visa regime for the Republic of Albania, that it is completely untrue.

According to Chief Diplomat Cakaj, it is about the entry into force of the system known as ETIAS, aiming internal protection and strengthening of the borders of the European Union, strengthening the instrument of verification of data for all foreign nationals entering to the common space of the European Union. Therefore, this is not an application for visas or any other exclusive practice for Albanian citizens.

Cakaj clarified the three basic misunderstandings, which according to him have prevailed in the media and have been slandered in the public these days.

Firstly, he stressed that it is not at all about returning visas or filling out visa forms. It is only an online form that needs to be completed and it will generate travel authorization within a few minutes.

Secondly, the acting Minister Cakaj informed that this is not a practice that will be applied only for Albania, but this practice includes a list of many countries including: United States of America, Canada, Australia and Western Balkan countries.

Thirdly, Cakaj said that this system will not enter into force in 2021. In the best case, this system will enter into force from January 2023; again it remains to be seen, taking into account the fact that the European Union has started the discussion for the implementation of this system since 2016.
“All Albanian citizens should have a clear view and understand that visa regime will not return and they can freely move to any space of the European Union as they are already doing. Any attempt to interpret the implementation of the ETIAS system as a return of visas for Albania, or a failure of Albania in its European path is simply untrue”- concluded his declaration the acting Minister Cakaj.