The Netherlands officially asked the European Commission to reintroduce visas for Albanian citizens visiting the Schengen zone. The move was prompted by the high levels of crime among Albanian immigrants in the Netherlands, an issue which prompted a vote in the Dutch Parliament to end the visa free regime.

It comes at a time when Albania is hoping to make a step forward, not back, in its EU integrations and demands the opening of accession talks.

According to the Dutch request, the level of crime perpetrated by Albanian gangs in this country, including drug dealing, prostitution and racketeering, is unacceptable. The Netherlands can’t reintroduces visas on their own and have to go through the EU.