The European Commission on Thursday recommended to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to offer Bosnia and Albania visa-free access to the European Union's Schengen area as long as their nations address some outstanding security issues.
"Granting visa-free travel is a cornerstone of the EU's integration policy for the Western Balkans," EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said in a statement.
Malmstroem congratulated both countries on the "very hard work" in recent months, but stressed further action was needed.
She urged Bosnia to boost its corruption and crime-busting efforts.
The European Commission is set to re-examine progress made in September, leaving EU member states and the European Parliament to make the final visa-scrapping decision in the following weeks.
The decision to offer visa-free travel to Bosnians and Albanians was welcomed by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele.
The decision will contribute to making the European perspective more tangible in countries where political instability is a key concern, Fuele said.
