• Friday, 22 November 2024

Western Balkans leaders sign agreements on increased mobility

Western Balkans leaders sign agreements on increased mobility
Berlin, 3 November 2022 (MIA) – The heads of government of Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina signed three agreements within the Berlin Process Summit on Thursday, aimed at regional integration and free movement of citizens, especially increased mobility of professionals, students, researchers and professors. The agreements refer to the freedom of movement by using an ID, recognition of university degrees, and recognition of professional qualifications of doctors, dentists and architects. The agreement on recognition of IDs facilitates regional travel and ensures equal treatment of all citizens while cancelling all visas within the Western Balkans. The agreement on recognition of university degrees establishes joint rules and procedures for acknowledgment of university qualifications, enabling mobility of students and academic staff, shortening the period of recognition to 14 days and cancelling taxes for students when applying for recognition of qualifications obtained at state universities. The agreement on recognition of professional qualifications facilitates movement of professionals across the region and provision of services by doctors, dentists and architects. It also creates the foundation for negotiations over the remaining four regulated professions (obstetricians, nurses, pharmacists and veterinary surgeons) in the coming period.