EU wants Kosovo agreement before spring next year

The solution to territorial disputes includes other countries, and not only Kosovo and Serbia, so it should be heard what they think of the issue, says in an interview for Radio Free Europe, Cornelius Adebahr, EU foreign policy expert, near the Centre for Political Investigations, Carnegie Europe.

According to him, the European Union expects a final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia to be reached before spring next year, while stressing that it does not guarantee the immediate recognition of Kosovo by the five EU countries, as they will analyse it based on internal concerns.

Radio Free Europe: The European Union has already set several deadlines, such as 2025 for the integration of several Western Balkan countries, however, there are divisions within the EU on the issue. Finally, Slovenia's President Borut Pahor said integration should be delayed because of problems with BEX. France's president, Emmanuel Macron, has also shown no enthusiasm for the rapid membership of these countries. How can this reflect in the Western Balkans?

Cornelius Adebahr: There are no deadlines for the integration of Western Balkan countries, but only economic and political criteria. These have to be met by candidate countries and there is no secret that these criteria have become more severe since enlargement “Big Bang<1> in 2004, just as EU regulations have become more complex.

So, just because new membership applications are low in some member states, and managing the EU's exit of Great Britain is a major pressure and concern, it is vital that aspiring countries implement the necessary conditions. After all, reforming their political and economic system is in their interest, regardless of when they can join the EU.

Radio Free Europe: How do you see the progress the Western Balkan countries have made towards EU integration?

Cornelius Adebahr: Progress has been slow in most countries and much slower in others. It is the European Commission's regular reports that provide more details in this direction and that the word <x0-progress” has already been deleted from the titles of these reports.

Russia, Turkey and China towards Western Balkans

Radio Free Europe: European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said before the European Parliament that other actors could extend influence to the Western Balkans if the EU neglects it. In the event these countries' EU membership delays continue, who risk the Balkans in your opinion?

Cornelius Adebahr: I repeat, it is not the European Union that extends deadlines of potential membership of countries in the region, but these are the very countries that are not yet ready for membership. Let's stress that the EU is aware that Russia, Turkey and China are countries that at different levels have made bids for the Western Balkans that look attractive to politicians or citizens or both.

However, none of these actors can offer prospects of long-term support through membership, nor comparable financial assistance. So the “not to neglect the Balkans” is one aspect, and the other aspect is to accept new member states prematurely which is in fact reckless.

Radio Free Europe: Western states have expressed concern with increasing Turkish influence in the Balkan region. Trade between the Western Balkans and Turkey has scored $430m in 2002 to $3 billion during 2016. What is Turkey's main interest, but also Russia and China's for extending influence in the Balkans according to you?

Cornelius Adebahr: Growth in trade is good for the region, which should certainly not rely solely on doing business with the European Union. However, if Western Balkan countries aspire to become members of the EU, they must adopt the rules of access to the market, transparency, rule of law and so on. This would help make the difference between good and bad business no matter which country it comes from.

Radio Free Europe: On September 30th in Macedonia, a referendum is held on resolving the name issue with Greece. We have seen very high visits by EU, US and NATO representatives to this state to push the positive vote in this referendum. How much does this referendum matter for the region?

Cornelius Adebahr : The resolution of the “name issue through compromise between Macedonia and Greece would send a powerful signal across the region, unblocking Skopje's path towards membership in the European Union and NATO, and would also serve as an example of resolving disputes. The failure of this process, whether in this month's referendum or in ratification later on in Athens, would be a major setback. That is why European actors are giving such support to compromise.

Also consult countries in the region for border change

Radio Free Europe: Another important process in the Balkans is talks between Kosovo and Serbia on normalising the reports. Finally, the idea of changing borders as a long-term solution has surfaced. What's your assessment?

Cornelius Adebahr: As is the case with the name issue (Skopje-Athia), if both countries resolve disputes through compromise, it would have to, in principle, find support. However, it makes a difference whether you are striving to resolve the name dispute, which primarily concerns only two countries, or whether you are trying to resolve territorial disputes that involve other countries. Throughout the history of the former Yugoslavia and also the wars of the 1990s, this issue is not of concern only to Kosovo and Serbia.

“U.S. position construction has changed the”

Radio Free Europe: However, not all promote such an idea. The United States has said it has no red lines since Germany, but the United Kingdom has openly expressed itself against changing borders? How do you evaluate this?