Political situation in Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo

20.5.2015

Question for written answer E-008113-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
David McAllister (PPE)

In the Federal Republic of Germany, three Western Balkan countries are recognised as safe countries of origin for the purposes of the Asylum Procedure Law: Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Under German law, safe countries of origin are those where, according to a presumption in law, based on the general political situation, it is assumed that neither political persecution nor inhuman or degrading punishments or treatment occur. Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo are not regarded as safe countries of origin under Germany's Asylum Procedure Law.

In its progress reports, the Commission has established that the political situation in Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo has improved considerably. There is no mention of any inhuman or degrading punishments or treatment of people in those countries.

Does the Commission consider the preconditions to be met for classifying Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo as safe countries of origin? In other words, can it be assumed, in the Commission’s opinion, that neither political persecution nor inhuman or degrading punishments or treatment occur in Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo?