Kosovo's visa disappointment is understandable

Kosovo must remove customs, but even Serbia should not prevent Kosovo from its efforts, even though it does not support it as a state, notes the eurodeputet, Knut Flickenstein exclusively for Deutsche Welle.

Deutsche Welle: Mr. Flickenstein, the Kosovo government set up 100% customs for Serbian and Bosnian products. Kosovo, in response to Serbia's regularly blocking policy. What's your assessment?

Knut Flickenstein: Regional co-operation in the economy is crucial. New customs is always going back, instead of walking towards each other. We fear further toughness of the fronts with new customs, so I call, just as the EU High Charged for Foreign Policy, Federica Moghrini, for Kosovo's safety and removal of customs, which violates the essence of the economic agreement, CEFTA. The sides must send signals of peace and co-operation in the dialogue.

DW: There are rumours saying, that this step was taken out of despair or anger for a blocking Serbia policy, and the EU knows the situation...

Flickenstein: Because of disappointment over the rejection of membership in Interpol, but also due to the lingering visa liberalisation process, which is unfortunate, should not result in thoughtless and immediate reactions...

DW: What is the EU making the situation stabilise?

Flickenstein: The international community seeks a stable, patient Kosovo, which would have a positive effect even in the process of recognising Kosovo as a state. But we also expect from Serbia, not to prevent Kosovo's efforts towards a fully recognised state, even if it does not support them. A good neighbourhood between the two countries, Kosovo and Serbia is central to peace in the Balkans. The opening of talks between Kosovo and Serbia is a historic success dedicated to the Federica Moghrin. We have faith in her role as mediator.

DW: The growth and procrastination of Kosovo's accession processes with the EU have caused a state of lack of hope in the country, procrastinating visa liberalisation adds to this, although Kosovo has met the conditions ... why does it not then become liberalisation this year, which will most likely not be done...

Flickenstein: It has not yet been finally decided, but if visa liberalisation with Kosovo is not achieved this year, great anger and frustration in the population would be understandable. Both the European Commission and the European Parliament a few months later have given their approval for visa liberalisation. If the EU Council, or some member states, said otherwise, does not support this position, it is tragic. The reasons for this rejection are within the very rejecting countries and in part of an internal policy nature. Member states should be aware of their responsibility for the development of the Balkans. Progress achieved should lead to visa liberalisation, in order for people there not to lose hope and trust in Europe. Member states should also show that they are true to their word.

DW: In Kosovo it says that dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo has brought Serbia more benefit, could such frustrations lead to more dangerous developments between the two countries?

Flickenstein: I know that concern, by the way, from the other side, the Serbian side. No one should lie to himself: Only if both sides make progress and achieve a solution through dialogue will there be a common future within the European Union.

DW: European elections 2019 can bring many changes if right-wing forces in the European Parliament increase presence, can there be paralysing of Balkan integration processes in the EU?

Flickenstein: The anti-European right forces have been significantly strengthened in the Europoan Union countries, and this will most likely reflect on the composition of the new parliament. But I expect that even after the European elections, we will have a clear majority of policy for EU enlargement.

DW: The debate on Balkan countries took place on Wednesday in a small Plenum in the European Parliament, the adoption of reports for Balkan countries is expected Thursday, what is your assessment of this vote?

Flickenstein: The debate Wednesday over reports on Balkan countries such as Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro essentially deals with the presentation of the current situation in these countries. This debate is based on European Commission reports and progress reports are compiled to see what developments these countries have achieved under the qualifications as potential candidate countries or future members of the European Union. We expect a large-scale positive response to the European Parliament for all progress reports.