Kosovo reason why Sofia Summit may fail

The continuing quarrel in several EU countries for Kosovo's status casts shadows in preparations for the EU's Balkan summit in Sofia 17 May. A week before the EU summit, the signs still appear to be for confrontation.

Five EU countries do not accept recognition of Kosovo. Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Cyprus want to make this clear even at the EU summit in Sofia. According to them, no symbol in this summit should be interpreted as if the independence of Kosovo and the state of Kosovo are packaged.

To enable the summit's development as planned, the EU now struggles with diplomatic financing. Thus, in the final declaration of the meeting in Sofia, not the countries of the Western Balkans will be spoken of, but the Western Balkan partners, the DPA news agency reports, referring to EU circles, broadcasts DW.

Spain does not participate because of Kosovo

On the other hand, even the countries where the heads of EU states and governments will sit will be marked by their names [of officials] and not as usual with the names of countries. With these adjustments, organisers hope the Western Balkans summit will not be boycotted.

Only the head of the Spanish government, Mariano Rajoy, with all the concessions made, will not participate in the summit, is disclosed by Brussels diplomats. In Madrid it was recently said that prior to the background of the Seperateist movements in Catalonia, Rajoy does not want to take pictures with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci.

At the Sofia summit, the European perspective of the Western Balkans will be discussed. But it is not thought that the EU will provide an exact time for membership.

When the European Commission in the Balkan strategy presented in February offered membership as possible in 2025 for Serbia and Montenegro, there were conflicting reactions from member states.

Critics say the Balkans is still far from meeting the criteria needed for EU membership.