TIRANA, June 10 – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked Kosovo and Serbia for a clear commitment to reaching a lasting political solution to their long-standing dispute over Kosovo’s independence amidst his visit to the two country’s capitals.
Normalisation talks facilitated by the European Union started 11 years ago but yielded little impact, and tensions between the former opponents in war remain.
Scholz, who was first in Pristina on Friday kicking off a multi-nation trip in the Western Balkans, said Russia’s war in Ukraine made the region’s stability even more important.
“In times like this, the value of peace and security is made clear anew to us, and a further very weighty reason for Kosovo and Serbia to find a political solution with a comprehensive, sustainable solution that also contributes to regional stability,” Scholz said at a news conference in Pristina.
The chancellor asked Serbia and Kosovo’s governments for a clear commitment to the EU-facilitated dialogue.
“It is clear that an agreement must ultimately also clear up the question of the recognition of Kosovo, because it is not conceivable that two countries that don’t recognize each other become members of the EU,” Scholz said.
In the meantime Scholz promised to help the Western Balkans reinvigorate its long-stalled campaign for European Union membership, a move aimed at easing regional tensions and fending off the influence of rival powers, such as Russia.
Speaking alongside Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Pristina, Scholz said his government made its EU membership a priority and would also support Kosovo’s aspiration for EU visa liberalisation.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has lent a new sense of urgency to the need to tie Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo closer to the 27-member EU, whether through full membership or an alternative community.
“It is very important to send a new signal of confidence and hope that this accession process is wanted by the EU with great seriousness, and that it also has a realistic chance if everyone makes an effort,” Scholz said.
After visits to Kosovo and Serbia, Chancellor Scholz will travel to Greece, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria on Saturday. /Argumentum.al
