Change of borders in the Balkans is dangerous, consequences you can imagine

It does not support the plan to change borders. “

The latest round of dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo in Brussels was interrupted, though earlier it seemed like they would find a solution to the conflict. How do you comment?

Renata Alt: The sudden interruption of the negotiations indicates how unstable these negotiations had begun. It is not advisable that there be changes of borders in the Balkans on clean ethnic grounds. It's a dangerous game that can have unpredictable consequences that no one can imagine right now.

What do you know?

Renata Alt: For example, Republika Srpska could seek union with Serbia. But I think shifting borders doesn't solve national problems. In the long term, there should be no borders, and ethnic minorities should enjoy the same rights everywhere. The EU has always supported this.

You are against changing borders. But so did Kosovo and other countries in the region. Why does the secession of Republika Srpska pose a danger?

Renata Alt: Because such changes support only nationalist tendencies. This can't be our target. Balkan countries have a huge geostrategic significance between Europe and Asia, so it should be in our interest to have a safe region here, and at the same time candidates think that if one day they want to enter the EU, they will meet Copenhagen criteria. And that's not happening.

How would you assess the German government's role in the region in the last decade?

Renata Alt: Germany has always supported developments between the two countries. Even financially, within the EU, 9 billion euros in the period 2007-2017 have gone to the region. It has been predicted for 2018. So we must further support these countries in transforming them into a real democratic system, in supporting the rule of law and human rights. The German government must also appeal in the future to this and exert influence on all EU members for Kosovo to be recognised. That is not true at the moment, so it would be good for Germany to put pressure on and intercede for Kosovo to be recognised. /DW/