Western Balkans citizens must have authorization for Schengen

Citizens of the Western Balkan countries will in the future have to request authorization from the relevant EU bodies of to travel in the Schengen zone.

They will still not be required to have a visa, Beta has reported.

The application will entail the filling of a form, and the EU's reply will arrive within no more than 72 hours. Those who are found to pose a danger to the EU's security will be denied this authorization, it is explained in the proposal for establishing the new EU Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

The European Parliament's (EP) Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) accepted this proposal of the European Commission on Oct. 19 and, after adoption by the relevant bodies of the EP, it will be referred to the EU Council of Ministers for adoption, an official of LIBE told BETA in Brussels.

According to the proposal, citizens of the...