Germany does not support the idea of a regional conference or a new approach to Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, according to Manuel Sarrazin, special representative for the countries of the Western Balkans to the German government, who spoke to Euractiv on the sidelines of the Berlin Process Summit in Tirana on Monday.
When asked what he thought of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s idea for elevating the EU-backed dialogue to a “conference” status involving the “big shots” and other key stakeholders at the table, Sarrazin was not convinced.
“I don’t believe that inventing something new after we have a good agreement made is sensible,” he said.
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The feeling in Pristina, Tirana, and even with former US ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, is that dialogue cannot continue as it is following the 24 September terrorist attack in the north.
Stakeholders have suggested new approaches, including a change of terms, an elevation of the format, and even pausing until the outcome of an investigation into all the facts of the attack, including allegations of Serbian state involvement.
However, Sarrazin said that both sides have been quite clear, at least in their words, that they stand to the agreements made so far, particularly the Ohrid agreement and its annexe from 2023. These were agreed upon verbally, as Serbian President Aleksander Vucic refused to sign.
“I think it’s essential to try to get an implementation on the track and to get a positive track record step by step to get this working,” he said, taking things further.
When pressed, the representative said the German government is determined to support the EU-facilitated dialogue and the so-called Franco-German plan currently on the table. Furthermore, they “strongly support” the work of EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak amid criticism and concerns of a biased approach.
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“There is no other option than sticking to the dialogue and trying to get the implementation of the agreement back on track, and we urge both sides to engage positively and constructively in this process,” he added.
Sarrazin added that “everybody” he knows in Kosovo wants to stick to what was agreed in Ohrid, including the Association of Serb Municipalities.
“Escalation should not be a tool to destroy the dialogue too easily. We must get them in the web of the dialogue, and when they try to get out, no, we want to get you back on track with what we agreed, and we will not just let you get out of this,” he said.
On measures against Kosovo and potential measures against Serbia, Sarrazin is clear that measures are a last resort.
“Measures are never a way forward, but sometimes if we ask for something obvious like we did to Kosovo and now like the European Union is doing to Serbia, it must also be clear that not following us will have consequences,” he said.
EU drafts measures against Serbia as Belgrade's involvement in terrorist attack is under scrutiny
The EU is running out of patience with Serbia and has drafted measures that will impact it politically, economically, and in terms of its EU accession, while more evidence emerges from the 24 September terrorist attack, including the involvement of …
He added that the EU must stand firm with its policies and expectations and that progress is necessary from both sides.
“It is a bit of a pity because we want to move forward with the region, we don’t want to put measures,” he said.
As for whether Kosovo and other regional countries can expect to be part of the EU by 2030, the date proposed by European Council President Charles Michel, Sarrazin said: “In the end, we want you, we want the Western Balkans being the same, also on paper with European citizenship like us.”
He added it does not make sense to consider the region like a second group, and there should be more flexibility on how to get there with the chance of benefits beforehand. Still, there should be no flexibility on “standards of respect of EU values”.
“Everything is possible, but it depends on the reform track to reach such a date- not that date, but a date. Everyone has to start delivering yesterday on the ground.”
But Sarrazin acknowledged a mismatch between what is delivered and what is expected.
When asked if he feels the EU is really serious about enlargement and whether momentum is at the right level to move forward meaningfully, Sarrazin was crystal clear.
“I think the EU is serious. Germany is very serious. But it must also be matched with being serious in the region,” he stressed.
Divisions over Kosovo-Serbia, enlargement, funding, ‘class’, laid bare at Berlin Process Summit
TIRANA, ALBANIA – Leaders of the European Commission and Council as well as key EU member states are adamant that dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade must continue, despite uncertainty over the recent attack on 24 September in north Kosovo, just one of many divergences on display at the Berlin Process Summit in Tirana on Monday (16 October).
(Alice Taylor | Euractiv.com)
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