German Minister: No one in Europe can be protruding about changing borders

Roth has said that no demarcation of borders in the Western Balkans is involved in European enlargement policy.

Deutsche Welle: Mr. Minister, we're talking about changing borders in the Western Balkans again. It's about a document spread by the Slovenian government. What does the federal government know about this?

Michael Roth: Change of borders does not solve any problems in the Western Balkans. Rather, it would be very dangerous and would threaten the reopening of Pandora's box, which is full of conflicts. This does not require a prophecy. The present and the future of the Western Balkans is about reconciliation, close regional co-operation, final distance from nationalism and revansism. The Western Balkan countries are and remain countries of multireligious and multiethnic societies. This is the precondition for peace, prosperity and democracy. So I am relieved that the Slovenian government has clearly distanced itself from fantasies about changing borders. Because no one in Europe can be interested in that.

So, did you exclude the proposal one day from the negotiating table?

We live in a free democracy and of course everyone is free to start debates with their proposals. But that does not change our clear rejection of such ideas. Again: changing borders is a dangerous wrong path for the region, nobody in the Western Balkans and the EU can have a serious interest in it today. Memories of the Balkan wars in the 1990s, which turned the former Yugoslavia into a major battlefield, should be sufficient warning for all of us. My position is clear: fantasies about shifting borders finally belong once and for all to a failed past.

Are there colleagues in the EU who favour such solutions?

The EU's enlargement strategy and strategy towards the Western Balkans do not envision any demarcation of borders. This is a good thing, and it has to stay like this!

The Berlin process makes a contribution towards strengthening regional co-operation. In the summer, there is expected to be a final meeting of the leaders of governments of Western Balkan countries with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. How should initiatives continue?

The Berlin Process has sent an important signal to the region: that we stay close to people in the region and, regardless of membership, do everything we can to promote the stability of the Western Balkans. And let's do this right now! And we are still making special efforts to improve regional co-operation, to provide prospects for young people, to gain employment and social cohesion. Health, infrastructure and digitalisation issues also play a very important role. That's why it's good to carry on the Berlin Process. At present we are feeling how important it is for the European Union to continue perceived as a close, reliable and wise partner of the Western Balkans not only in the eyes of politicians but, above all, in the perception of local citizens. Because there are also disappointments, whether because of insufficient reforms to strengthen the rule of law or the fight against corruption. But even in terms of fighting the Corleone pandemic, some states think the EU does not support them well enough. So I'm glad that the European Union is sending a clear signal of solidarity: From May again, we will distribute 650,000 doses of vaccines in Western Balkan countries. The Berlin process always needs to be supported by concrete and tangible projects that are perceived positively by people in the region. They should be visible to citizens of the region and steadily improve living conditions.

The Berlin process is also known as a waiting room for EU membership. Can these countries hope that under the Slovenian presidency of the EU Council in the second half of this year, it will be achieved that enlargement progress that could not be achieved during the German presidency of the EU Council?

We worked very hard at the German presidency of the EU Council and left no stone unturned. But the precondition for starting accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia is a consensus on the Council. We did not achieve it just because of the blockade of one country. That was bitter, but we are not giving up! I am very grateful to the Portuguese Presidency for continuing this process. For example, yesterday at the Council of European Ministers, we had information on the current situation in the Western Balkans. In May and June the theme of the Western Balkans and enlargement will be the focus of the Council of European and Foreign Ministers meetings. Then we will need <x0 Green Window” to start accession negotiations. Anyway, I'll do my best. The EU must keep its word and should not delay the accession process for these countries. We urgently need more positive signals for the region! It is at risk no less than the credibility of the EU. And especially in the past 12 months have shown that the EU has rivals of the system in the Western Balkans that are meeting the gaps we are leaving with. It is in our well - understood interest to draw the region closer and closer to us.

However, interethnic issues remain unresolved, as in the case of Kosovo or Bosnia and Herzegovina. What should be done, in your opinion, to finally avoid such fantasies?

Roth: I look forward to co-operation with the new Kosovo government. The government Kurti has presented a very ambitious programme in fighting corruption and strengthening democracy and rule of law. This is a strong signal and the government can count on our support. In addition, Germany will be committed further decisively to liberalising the visa regime with Kosovo citizens. I hope that we in the EU will soon reach a decision on this and make it as soon as possible. Above all, a goal that continues to go away all the more threatens to return to good news and thus lose its attractive and transforming power and one thing is clear: regardless of social divisions, an overwhelming majority of the Bosniak population supports a common goal: a future in the EU. But it is just as clear that the country now must firmly address reforms that are so necessary to make faster progress on the “road from Dayton to Brussels”. For example, reform of the electoral law must be designed in such a way as to contribute to reconciliation and co-operation, not to further division.