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After decades of isolation and bad press, the move to lift visa requirements is understandably seen by all three countries as a significant step closer to the EU community. Norway, Iceland and Switzerland have also lifted the visa ban even though they are not part of the European Union, but visas are still required for Great Britain and Ireland.

As Jelko Kacin, Slovenia's Member of European Parliament (MEP) in Brussels who pushed for the visa restrictions to be lifted, points out, "The war has damaged much of the image of certain countries in the region, but this is being repaired by their commitment to the reform process."

Gesture of goodwill, but caution remains

Visa liberalisation has been a long time coming, with more emphasis placed on the issue since Slovenia put it on the agenda during its EU presidency in 2008. All countries were required to meet strict standards and undergo substantial reforms for this to happen. This included improving border security, modernising the border crossings, improving the fight against crime and issuing new biometric passports in order to satisfy the demands for the lifting of the visa requirements.

The ban was due to be lifted in January 2010 but Slovenia successfully pushed for it to be lifted before Christmas as a gesture of goodwill, recognition of hard work and stimulus for further reforms to those countries.

"I hope that all Western Balkan countries, particularly Serbia, will speed up their reforms and thereby improve their image in the EU," Kacin added.

Party like it's 1999

To mark the occasion, celebrations have been organised in all three countries. In Serbia, one minute after midnight, fireworks were set off above the national parliament and a plane took off from Belgrade to Brussels with 60 passengers from all walks of life, together with Božidar Djelić, the deputy prime minister. On their trip, they also visited Paris, Berlin and Rome.

Macedonians celebrated with a huge party in the Skopje's main square where popular British DJ Fatboy Slim entertained the crowd. A state lottery was also organised; 100 lucky winners will join a state delegation on a one-day trip to Paris.

In Montenegro, the occasion was marked in somewhat more low-key manner. There were neither official fireworks nor parties, but Montenegro Airlines is giving out free tickets to Rome, and the government is treating students of University of Economic Studies in Podgorica to a free trip to Ljubljana.

On the other side, Slovenia has also been preparing an the influx of travellers from those countries by tightening its border controls - there is a fear that Slovenia might be used as an entry point to other Schengen destinations for those seeking work rather than travelling for vacations. Hence, citizens of all three countries have been warned to travel with proper documentation - this includes proof of address where they are travelling to and enough money to support their trip - since they can be refused entry at a border crossing.

However, tourist agencies are hoping the new policy will encourage more visitors to come to Slovenia this winter.

Not everyone's a winner

The decision to lift the visa ban does not, however, extend to the Serbian citizens living in Kosovo. According to Kalcin, "That is why the European Parliament has insisted to start visa liberalisation program for Kosovo as soon as possible."

The visa ban also remains in place for the citizens of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kalcin asserts that in the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, "...the sole responsibility rests with the Bosnian politicians.

"I would like to see Bosnia, Albania and Kosovo on the White Schengen list sooner rather than later. However, it is up to the governments of these countries to make this happen. In the case of Bosnia, we need to assist its government in necessary reforms of the state by employing the instruments of the Office of High Representative (OHR) and its head, Valentin Inzko. Without positive development, there will be no conditions to lift the visa regime."