Hellbach says there is still work for visas, urges changes in Kosovo

However, he, in an interview for “Kahane”, says this issue is still over and that it is a significant political decision of EU member states.

I am very optimistic that we will progress on the visa liberalisation issue. Very positive is the fact that the German Interior Ministry and the Kosovo Interior Ministry are now closely co-operating to clarify open issues. But all participants should know that this issue in the end is a sensitive and internal political decision of EU member states. And that it takes political will to get support”, the ambassador said, while adding that “if we think it's a good thing, right, that's related to other topics”.

He also criticised Kosovo's leadership, saying that if “in Kosovo is not going to have substantial changes soon, and that is also true of other states in the region, then citizens will articulate their thoughts differently, emigrating”.

“Europe needs labor power, we've done positive experiences with citizens from the Western Balkans. End without immigrants from Albania and Kosovo in Germany would have fewer good Italian restaurants... But if the region further seizes the potential for development and reaches the EU level, it cannot suffer. This is a big responsibility for politicians and civil society”, Ambassador Hellbach said.

He also had a German expression for developments in the country and the region. If I've learned one thing over the years, as far as I've dealt with this region, it's that change has to come from within. We can open prospects, make offers, offer concrete support. But a German saying says: You can't take the dog by your side to hunt. He must run” himself, concluded Christian Hellbach, director of the German Foreign Ministry's Southeast Europe until now.