“EU accession realistic”
Scholz sees Serbia and Kosovo in the west
5/4/2022 9:32 p.m
Against the background of Russian riots in the Western Balkans, Scholz spoke to the heads of government of Serbia and Kosovo in Berlin. Should both countries resolve their tensions, that would be a big step on the way to the EU, promises the chancellor and announces his visit to the region.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on Serbia and Kosovo to settle their differences in order to pave the way for EU accession. EU membership is a “realistic” prospect for both countries, said the SPD politician after separate talks with Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Berlin. His meeting with Vucic also discussed Serbia’s stance on the war in Ukraine. Kosovo, inhabited mostly by ethnic Albanians, split from Serbia and declared its independence in 2008. However, Serbia does not recognize the independence of its former province of Kosovo.
At the meetings with Kurti and Vucic, Scholz announced a “revival” of the “Berlin Process” initiated by his predecessor Angela Merkel. The focus is on diplomatic efforts to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU. A meeting of Vucic and Kurti was planned for the evening. At Scholz’s invitation, the EU representative for the Western Balkans, Miroslaw Lajcak, who mediates in the dialogue between the two countries, was also to take part. The aim of the process is also the recognition of the state of Kosovo by Serbia, said Scholz. Recognition is “essential” for both countries to want to join the EU. Addressing Serbia, he warned that “commitments made” should be kept. “Unilateral actions are not helpful there.”
“Factors controlled by the Kremlin”
The Chancellor announced a trip to the region, during which he would also visit Serbia and Kosovo. In the second half of the year he also wants to bring the Western Balkan countries together for a meeting in Berlin. “Especially in times like these, when a brutal war is being waged in our immediate vicinity, it is of central importance that both countries gradually resolve their conflict,” said Scholz, referring to Serbia and Kosovo after his conversation with Kurti. “In this way they would make a contribution to peace and security for the Western Balkans, but also for the whole of Europe.” He wishes that this would go “quickly”.
Kurti emphasized that his country is oriented towards Europe and the West. “We have no other perspective than the EU and NATO,” he said. His country is conducting a dialogue with Serbia “which should result in mutual recognition”. Vucic stressed that his government would “do everything so that we can reach a compromise”. However, these solutions cannot come from Serbia alone. Kurti accused Russia of stoking tensions in the Western Balkans. “There are factors controlled by the Kremlin,” he said, without giving details. “These pose a threat to peace and security.” But Kosovo will know how to defend itself, added Kurti.
Serbia itself victim of sanctions
After the conversation with Kurti, Scholz met Vucic. The Serbian President reiterated that Serbia had also opted for the “European way”. His government will stick to that, even if it is “not the most popular way” according to the latest polls. Scholz warned that for successful EU integration, Serbia must “rigorously continue its reform process”, especially in the areas of the rule of law, freedom of the media and the fight against corruption and organized crime.
Serbia’s position on the war in Ukraine was also on the agenda of the talks between Vucic and Scholz. Serbia has condemned the Russian invasion, but at the same time Belgrade does not want to break with Moscow and does not want to join the EU sanctions against Russia. Vucic asked for understanding that Serbia had a different attitude, not least because of its own experiences “as a victim of sanctions”. At the same time, however, Vucic admitted that anyone who is on the way to Europe must adapt “gradually” to the decisions of the EU. “In any case, Serbia understood the message from Germany” and the other EU countries “very well,” he said.