The European Union decided on Monday to lift visa requirements next month for travelers from Albania and Bosnia who have biometric passports with a digitally recorded photograph.

The move is intended to encourage democratic reforms in the Balkan nations, but the bloc warned that restrictions would be reimposed if rules on border controls and passport security were abused. Anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise in Europe and asylum policies are strained by an influx of refugees.

After visa requirements for citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia were relaxed, asylum applications from those three Balkan countries grew significantly.

Some European governments feel that because of corruption and weak institutions, Albania and Bosnia, which would like to join the union, cannot cope with issues likes illegal immigration and drug trafficking.