Serbia harmonizes visa policy with EU, since March, citizens of Mongolia need visa to enter Serbia

Photo: Profimedia/Alamy/bilalulker / Alamy

Serbia is harmonizing its visa regime with that of the EU, as one of the measures of harmonization with EU standards, and by the end of 2026, all necessary reforms will be implemented in order to meet the conditions for full membership, Tanjug has been told by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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"By harmonizing with the EU visa policy, Serbia actively participates in security measures in the fight against illegal migrants, crime and other types of illegal cross-border activities," the ministry said.

The ministry added that Serbia will implement all the necessary reforms by the end of 2026 in order to fulfill all the necessary conditions for full membership in the European Union, which is one of Serbia's strategic foreign policy priorities.

"The EU accession process has two equally important components, technical and political. A successful EU accession process requires a comprehensive approach, i.e. a balance between technical reforms and political strategy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs represents Serbia on the international stage, working to strengthen bilateral relations with EU member states, build Serbia's credibility and resolve all geopolitical issues that could affect the EU accession process," it said.

In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has one of the key roles in presenting the implemented reforms in communication with EU institutions and EU member states as well, with the aim of further progress of our country in the negotiation process.

As the bearer of the activities of the Negotiating Group for Chapter 31, the Ministry also deals with the harmonization of Serbia's foreign policy with common foreign policy declarations, decisions and measures of the EU, in the period during the negotiations, up to full harmonization immediately before accession to the EU.

The ministry also announced that the agreement signed in 2013 between the governments of Serbia and Mongolia on the abolition of visas for the citizens of the two countries ceased to be valid in March of this year, and now citizens of Mongolia need a visa to enter Serbia.

The ministry stated that the harmonization of the visa regime of Serbia with the visa regime of the EU regarding Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Mongolia was realized on the basis of the Conclusion on the adoption of the Reform Agenda of the Republic of Serbia 2024 - 2027 in accordance with the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which was adopted by the Government of Serbia in October 2024.

Based on the obligations that Serbia assumed with that document, starting from December 14, 2024, citizens of Qatar Oman, and Kuwait now need a visa to enter Serbia.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)