German East Business Association: Tensions in the north risk future investments

The German East Business Association has voiced concerns about the tense situation in northern Kosovo.

The head of this association, Cathrine Klaas-Muhlhauser, calls for an end to tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, Klan Kosova reports.

The German East Business Association has supported regional co-operation among Western Balkan countries for many years. We strongly believe that the economic and social transformation of the region and its integration into the common European market can only be achieved through close co-operation among all countries. The German Eastern Business Association and its member companies are actively involved in boosting close regional co-operation. Together with our regional partners, we have promoted the German business engagement in the region”, estimates Klaas-Muhlhauser.

According to AGBL, to date, German business has created more than 100,000 skilled jobs in the six Western Balkan countries.

German trade with six countries has tripled in the last ten years, reaching almost 17 billion euros in 2022. This positive development is at stake. We are very concerned about the current tensions between Kosovo and Serbia. We have been contacted by an increasing number of interested German companies who are actively involved in Kosovo and neighbouring countries. Future achievements and investments in the region are at risk”, it has added.

This association calls on all sides to engage in a constructive dialogue not to jeopardise the region's successful position as an investment country achieved so far and its integration into international supply chains.

“Business needs peaceful and reliable investment conditions. The German East Business Association believes that regional and European integration should be a common goal for all Western Balkan countries”, Klaas-Muhlhower has further said.

Strengthening regional co-operation is the key to positive economic development and further integration of the region into the common EU market, the AGBL leader estimates.

We remember similar concerns expressed by the German-Kosovo Economic Oda.