When Kosovans once more didn't see any progress being made on granting them visa-free entry to the EU, restaurateur Shpejtim Pefqeli determined to take issues into his personal fingers.
In a retaliatory gesture, he banned "EU residents" from having fun with free motion at his eatery within the capital Pristina.
Mama's Restaurant is located a stone's throw from the headquarters of EULEX, an EU mission that helps Kosovo in growing judicial and rule of legislation establishments. Staff from the organisation -- which has nothing to do with the Kosovo visa determination -- are mentioned to commonly go to the restaurant.
Pefqeli's anger comes after leaders of European international locations didn't convey up the problem of visa "liberalisation" for Kosovo at a summit final week.
It will enable Kosovans to enter the EU's free motion Schengen zone for as much as 90 days while not having a visa.
Brussels instructed Pristina 4 years in the past that it had met all the factors to have visa-free entry to the bloc.
As well as, all its neighbours within the area have the profit: Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia.
“That is my type of protesting in opposition to the discrimination for not with the ability to transfer freely. Our individuals, our youth are remoted,” Pefqeli instructed Euronews Albania.
“The final time they mentioned visa liberalisation, I used to be positive that they are going to abolish [the need for a visa].
"When the summit ended and I understood that it's not taking place, I used to be actually upset. Due to this disappointment, I made this determination and I'll stand by it till now we have the correct to free motion.
“There are lots of people (EU employees at EULEX) who agree with my type of protest and my concept they usually really feel sorry our nation nonetheless wants [a] visa."
Elsewhere in Pristina, locals aired their frustration.
“We misplaced our persistence," mentioned one girl in her 40s. "We're so remoted. Individuals must journey, to see how life is outdoors Kosovo. I do know individuals who have by no means been on a airplane.”
“Kosovo residents deserve to maneuver freely throughout [the] EU,” mentioned a person.
“The EU is late," mentioned one other. "Our neighbouring international locations have been capable of journey freely for greater than 12 years now.”
The dearth of progress comes amid a basic air of gloom within the area about prospects of becoming a member of the European Union.
Final week's EU summit noticed Ukraine and Moldova invited to be candidates for membership.
However regardless of already passing this stage, a number of international locations within the Western Balkans are nonetheless ready to be allowed into the Brussels membership.
The European Fee didn't instantly reply to Euronews' requests to touch upon this story.
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