The increase in the number of illegal immigrants who are passing through Albania and Serbia to seek asylum in the EU has brought about the proposal for the suspension of visa-free travel for the Western Balkans to the negotiating table.

“Citizens from Turkey, Tunisia, India, Cuba, and Burundi are entering Serbia legally without visas by air, and some of these countries are also entering Albania, while a very high number of them move irregularly further towards EU member states”, the document emphasizes.

The increase in the number of illegal immigrants is putting pressure on neighboring EU countries, Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia.

Therefore, the document underlines the diplomatic pressure on Albania and Serbia to harmonize visa waivers and send back more irregular immigrants.