European Liberal Democrats, who have long been fighting for a fair treatment of citizens in the South Eastern part of Europe warmly welcome this development, and hope that it will be an integral part in the general European strive of these countries.

Receiving the news, ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck MEP expressed her delight: "Today is a big day on the long path to peace, stability and progress in South Eastern Europe. The visa-free regime is a direct result of good societal and legislative progress in the region, and the biggest beneficiaries of it will be the youth, who are tomorrow's leaders. This development will allow them to travel to the rest of Europe to exchange ideas and visions for the future without the hassles and costs involved with visas".

Although delighted, President Neyts-Uyttebroeck was also eager to point out the challenges still facing the process, notably relating to further development of the judiciary and combating organised crime in these countries as well as not forgetting other areas where visa facilitation should still be a top priority. "This step is merely a first step on a long strive. Both Albania and Bosnia & Herzegovina now have to fulfill the benchmarks set out by the European Commission, so as to ensure fully functioning European standards and equal treatment of its citizens - which, if handled properly, ultimately can lead to EU accession".

"I also urge us not to think that this is it and get complacent. There are still a number of countries which would benefit from receiving facilitation measures. This goes for the Republic of Kosovo on the Balkans as well as the countries involved in the Eastern Partnership whenever they make similar progress and are up to our set standards. The EU must be fair on this and not apply double standards", President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck concluded.