Normalisation with Kosovo is precondition for Serbia in EU

He also says the bloc is helping Kosovo prepare the ground for future membership.

Serbia's progress towards the European Union certainly depends on dialogue with Kosovo. Does this mean that Serbia's EU accession will coincide with the conclusion of the process of normalising relations with Kosovo?

Johannes Hahn: No. It is the opposite: normalisation with Kosovo is the precondition for Serbia to become an EU member.

In February you will present a strategy for the Western Balkans. From the speech of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, “for the EU situation”, has emerged 2025 as a year when Serbia and Montenegro can join the EU. Does this mean that these two states, as leaders in the region, will be separated from others?

Johannes Hahn: No, it's not. If you pay attention to Juncker's speech, he has not only mentioned leaders in the region, even though these two countries are mentioned on paper. That clearly points to the fact that these two countries -- Serbia and Montenegro -- are already negotiating. For that, they are distinguished by other countries. I personally support any qualifications. What matters is the development of each country.

I think each country progresses towards European integration -- some sooner, some have to engage more and carry out their homework. In principle, I think most countries are on the right track.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, I think more needs to be done. I hope we'll soon get the answers to our questionnaire. This is something the citizens of that country expect from their political leaders to see that political leaders have the capacity and readiness to decide. They want European perspective.

Other countries, I would say, are on the right track. This strategy will cover the European perspective for all Western Balkan countries. It is very important to note that this is a European perspective for all countries, not just two or three.

When we talk about Kosovo, it has signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, but on the other hand are developments in Catalonia and the problem with the five EU countries that do not recognise its independence. Do you think there is danger that Kosovo will be blocked?

Johannes Hahn: Of course, we cannot ignore geostrategic and geopolitical events, but what we can do as the Commission and what we are doing with dedication is to help Kosovo prepare the ground for EU membership, improving the legal structure, economic impact, growth of revenues which is important in Kosovo's case, because a third of the revenues come from customs that will not exist in the common market.

A third of the national income cannot be replaced overnight, so we have to deal with them much earlier. I think that way we can specifically support Kosovo in preparing the ground for future EU membership.

Kosovo is part of all these preparations leading to regional economic space. This is another evidence of our strong commitment to Kosovo's European perspective. / REL