Memo: Joint Statement by Vice President Franco Frattini, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, and by Commissioner Olli Rehn, responsible for Enlargement, on the adoption of visa readmission mandates for the Western Balkans

“We welcome the adoption on 15 November 2006 by the Council of mandates for the Commission to negotiate Community visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. This step reflects the commitment by the EU to promoting people-to-people contacts between the Western Balkans and the Union. It is really good news for the citizens in the region and a tangible proof of what the European perspective can offer”, stated Vice-President Franco Frattini and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.