Weber: Germany is new US for Kosovo

Political analyst at the Political Council of Democraticisation, Bodo Weber, hopes Chancellor Merkel's statement puts an end to the dangerous and (to) destructive dynamics in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process, which we have seen unfold for nearly a year already

K. D: Last week Chancellor Merkel said there could be no border change in the Balkans, rejecting recent statements and proposals by presidents Thaci and Vuciq. Why was it necessary for Chancellor Merkel to go out publicly against these ideas, and do you think this concludes the debate over the division of territories/reforming of borders?

Bodo: Chancellor Merkel's statement and German Government officials that the timing of changing borders in the Western Balkans has passed was said even at the beginning of the dialogue, had enabled it and was one of the main principles of the initial framework of the process. So it was natural that Chancellor Merkel went out publicly to repeat this basic fact, taking into account political statements about division, exchange of territories, correction of borders, etc., since the announcement of the final phase of negotiations in dialogue in July 2017, which originated in Belgrade, and later spread to Pristina and some Western capitals. This is also a clear sign that Berlin messages behind closed doors for Vuciqi and others to stop with the meaningless, dangerous drawing of maps were insufficient, and that a powerful public message was required. In my opinion, it had to be done earlier, but it's good that she finally said that publicly. I really hope this ends the dangerous and destructive dynamics that we've seen unfold for almost a year now.