What did Chancellor Scholz ask Kurti for

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held meetings with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurtin and Serbia's President Aleksandar Vuciq in Berlin yesterday.

After the Berlin meeting, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Albin Kurti made a press conference. Scholz said he will soon visit Pristina under a visit to Balkan countries.

Scholz: Western Balkans Part of Europe

Scholz stressed once again that the Western Balkans are part of Europe and that all countries in the region must join the EU.

At the meeting between Chancellor Scholz and Kosovo's prime minister was also discussed the war in Ukraine.

The German Chancellor expressed gratitude that Kosovo has joined sanctions against Russia.

Process of dialogue

Scholz said that in the background of events in Ukraine it is important that Kosovo and Serbia gradually resolve their conflict. That way they would make a contribution to peace and security not only in the Balkans but throughout Europe.

Scholz said he urged Kurti to take a constructive stand on the dialogue process, because an agreement between the two countries would benefit the entire Western Balkans, because the most important precondition for investments, for jobs and prospects for youth is stability and security.

Germany and Kosovo close-connected

Scholz said Germany and Kosovo are close-connected because Germany is the biggest bilatheral investor in Kosovo, as well as some 400,000 Kosovo-born citizens living in Germany.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti reinforced bilateral relations in his speech and said Kosovo strongly condemns fighting in Ukraine. Kurti said Kosovo is ready to house 5,000 refugees from Ukraine and that it has removed visas for Ukrainian citizens.

Kosovo's prime minister accused Russia of fuelling tensions in the Western Balkans. “There are factors that are controlled by the Kremlin and that pose a threat to peace and security,” he said during meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but without providing details to the factors in question.

Vucinqi promises closer to Kosovo

After meeting with Kurti German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Berlin with Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq as well. Vuciqi promised an approach to neighbouring Kosovo and assured it would do everything to reach a compromise.

Chancellor Scholz assured the Serbian president that Serbia's EU accession process will be strongly supported by Germany. But for this Serbia must continue the path of reforms above all on rule of law issues, media freedom and the fight against organised crime.

After meetings with Chancellor Scholz Kurti and Vuciq will hold a meeting with the European Union's mediation for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Jajcak.

Prior to the meetings German Ambassador to Kosovo Jorn Rohde had clarified that meetings “will serve, among other things, the support of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, which is headed by the EU”. / DW/