Sarrazine: Kosovo, Serbia must advance implementation of Ohrid

Under the Munich Security Conference, German government in charge of the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin, stresses that the goal is the successful integration of the Western Balkans into the EU.

Sarrazin has been clear, saying Kosovo and Serbia should advance the implementation of Ohrid.

We are for Ohrid and we want both sides to advance the implementation of Ohrid and I think this is crucial. I mean, in an experimental way, the future of the whole region is in the EU, and this has to stay sometimes above domestic policy”

DW: At Munich Security Conference this time to stand out, there was nothing on the official program for the Western Balkans. Although there were two side events marking the Balkans, it was evident not to include in the agenda. How should it be explained?

Manuel Sarrazin: I believe that everyone knows, that we are at a stage, when the war in Ukraine, the question of future world order, the US elections and Trump, seems to stand in the first plan for once. I believe we should not forget, that in all these issues Europe's strategic ability to develop the Western Balkans positively will be crucial to the question, if we are taken seriously in other issues. Of course, the EU is required to supply Ukraine, but at least the second issue of importance is the Western Balkans. If the EU's capacity does not function there, how can someone take us seriously very, very far away from us, in global competition for major world affairs.

DW: There was a panel regarding EU enlargement. Georgia's president, a representative of Ukraine, was also missing from the Western Balkans. And when you're in the region, you're often under the impression that people are actually afraid, that their topic is marginalized as a result of the great challenges Ukraine brings. How did you interpret this situation?

Manuel Sarrazin: I understand that many people have, to say, to fear, that we see ourselves a long time ago waiting and now others seem to be passing through the Balkans. First, I think we should remember, that every country's success towards enlargement will benefit everyone. Ukraine has made Europe determined to love enlargement even with the Western Balkans, all capitals, not only Berlin or Brussels, and others. The Chancellor and the foreign minister are very much connected with the expansion of the Western Balkans in their biographies and minds. Ukraine and the Western Balkans for us do not amount to opposition, but both have tremendous geostrategic importance.

DW: Never before has there been such a good formation of representatives for the Balkans in the EU. On the other hand, time is running out, we are now just ahead of the European elections and there will surely be many changes on the European level. What we should draw from this for politics towards the Western Balkans. What should happen in this short window that is still there?

Manuel Sarrazin: I think it's obvious, everybody's clear, that history's being written right now. History is often written faster than you think. I can say I don't have the impression, that my job, my activity is running out of time, but the point is to work together, so that we, the German government's policy as an EU member, can make our contribution so that the European concert is successful in the Western Balkans. And we all work for a goal, which is the successful integration of the Western Balkans into the EU. And the commission will soon make new proposals to make the journey towards that end more reliable.

DW: Consider also Bosnia and Kosovo: For Bosnia on March 12th, it is an important moment. Don't you get the impression that the country is making a political development to better fill its clauses. What should happen from your point of view of the Western Balkans, so that a new chapter may open as of March 12?

Manuel Sarrazin: The coalition has given some subtile signals, that it is willing to make some reforms in advance, to enable us to follow the path positively. We'll see about that, we'll see the basic signs, but we really want to see them. This seems to be the situation, as it is, and we will certainly keep the pressure strong in order to see as many positive developments as possible. The determination is credibility, so we can be convinced that the path of reforms will continue steadily. And that's why we want to get signals from Sarajevo.

DW: The second part of the conflict, or perhaps the largest one in the region, continues to be the Kosovo issue, Serbia dialogue. Many are discouraged, take two steps forward and then two steps back, sometimes three steps back and one step forward, and many have said, perhaps the window now closes, who knows what will happen after the U.S. elections. What is the report's approach to the Western Balkans to bring about some progress there, so that a lasting solution to the interstate relationship between Kosovo and Serbia is once reached?

Manuel Sarrazin: First it must be said that the window is not closed yet. We have EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak, who works, has an agenda and wants to achieve the implementation and implementation of Ohrid. And our approach is to support him and do everything, so that this window can be used, which Miroslav Lajcak meets now. He's very active and this is our approach. I don't think it makes any sense to think about what's coming next. We are for Ohrid and we want both sides to advance the implementation of Ohrid and I think this is crucial. I see on both sides that domestic politics will become an important factor. I want to say it in an experimental way; the future of the whole region is in the EU, and that should sometimes stand on domestic politics.

DW: Both Vucic and Albin Kurti were in Munich. Is there any positive news following talks with these two politicians to show or any signs of hope? Was there any impulses that might be said to be happening?

Manuel Sarrazzin: Not something I could talk about here. But one thing can be known for sure, that the German government remains committed to doing everything, so that there is soon progress. / DW