German newspaper: US bypassed Europeans with June 27th meeting at the White House

The US will reconcile Kosovo and Serbia! German-speaking press pays attention to the expected meeting between Kosovo and Serbia representatives at the White House on June 27th for resolving the conflict between the two countries.

German newspaper “Süddeutsche Zeitung” in its article entitled “Making points in the Balkans” stresses that a Balkan meeting at the White House, according to the Trump administration, will have to bring movement in the frozen conflict between Kosovo and Serbia. “Trump and Greenell now decided to act without the EU, apparently in hopes of a success in foreign policy during the election campaign for US President”.

The EU has failed to find a common language for Kosovo, writes the German newspaper. “But overall The EU has never succeeded in developing a united policy for Kosovo. Five member states -- Spain, Greece, Romania, Cyprus and Slovakia -- do not recognise Kosovo.” Therefore, both in Pristina and Belgrade, meanwhile, are being entrusted more to the US, Süddeutsche Zeitung highlights. Serbia's “Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said the Trump administration is better for Serbia than an American government under Democrat leadership. (...) but at a time President Thaci hopes for the recognition of Kosovo from Serbia, Serbian President Vuciq clearly ruled out this Tuesday. ”

U.S. bypasses Europeans

Even the Austrian newspaper “Die Presse” pays attention to the announcement of the American primer for Kosovo and Serbia, Richard Green for the Washington meeting. Under the title “The Europeans allow the US to take over” the Austrian newspaper writes on Wednesday that “the problem for the EU is: The U.S.A. also plans to operate alone. Europeans risk being bypassed in finding a solution. (...) The EU, in turn, has always been proud of so-called soft power. EU membership is the stated goal of all Southeast European countries. The prospects for this have been a long time engine for reform and restraint in local crises. But, meanwhile, EU stars are not shining as before. Northern Macedonia, despite name change, was held on when it came to opening negotiations, which did not strengthen confidence in the EU. In Kosovo, there is anger that citizens are still not allowed to travel without visas to the EU. At the same time, actors like China and Russia have expanded their influence in the Balkans. And the gentleman in the White House is increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of European partners. Regardless, what will be achieved between Kosovo and Serbia in Washington: The consequences are Europe. The time has come for EU states to engage more”.

There is no quick solution to complicated problems

Even the newspaper “Neue Zürcher Zeitung”, NZZ agrees that President Trump is leaving the EU out of negotiations on Kosovo. Richard Green surprised on Monday evening with the claim, that there will be a meeting of the two countries on June 27th in Washington, the NZZ highlighted. Long-time “is made evident that the government under President Trump wants to achieve success at any price in the complicated relationship between Kosovo and Serbia. ”

The European Union has yet to officially comment on Richard Green's initiative, the Swiss newspaper underlines, adding that “Grenelli hours before Lajcak's arrival publishes talks in the US is a strong kick on Europeans' legs, despite the fact that economic issues will be discussed in Washington at first. ”

But according to “The EU itself is responsible for losing its influence in the Balkans, the paper notes. “But according to observers, even the long-term prospects of the American initiative are grim (...) the newest phase of conflict between Serbia and Kosovo has lasted for two decades. An early solution to the American president's wishes does not address the region's complicated problems. ”