The Western Balkans saw German Emissar: What effect will it have on Kosovo?

From this decision was directly affected by Manuel Sarrazin, the Green Party representative who held this position for three years, which last year was often mentioned for his approach to the import ban on goods coming from Serbia, but generally about 25 other officials in different countries lost their positions after abolishing some locations by the German federal cabinet.

This movement raises the fundamental question: What effect will this have on Kosovo and its important political processes, especially in terms of relations with Serbia? Since Germany has long been one of the key factors in strategic decisions affecting the stability and development of the Western Balkans, a reduction of its commitment could create gaps in negotiations and influence dialogue dynamics between the two countries.

In this context it is essential to assess whether this movement is a strategy for reforming German politics in the region, or a possible signal for a reduction in concentration and priority towards the Western Balkans. In search of this response, the German Embassy in Kosovo told KALLXO.com that the federal Cabinet's decision to abolish several commissioners and co-ordinators also affects the Federal Government Special Envoy's Office of the Western Balkans, founded in 2022.

However, according to the Embassy “, moving forward” the responsibilities previously supervised by the Special Envoy will be integrated into relevant divisions within the Federal Foreign Ministry. Also, according to the Embassy despite this structural change, the Federal Foreign Ministry in Berlin will continue to work closely, intensively and constructively with its partners.

“in particular, our embassy in Pristina, along with others in the Western Balkans, remains steadfast in its commitment to furthering these efforts in all relevant areas.” wrote in the German Embassy's response to KA LLXO.

What does the absence of German Emissary mean?

Johanna Deimel, senior expert for the Western Balkans/South East Europe, has the impression that the reason for the departure of this post is that along with the German Special Representative for the Western Balkans, 26 similar positions have been abolished.

In Deimel's view of Emisari's post for the Western Balkans, there is no direct impact on Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue itself, since it is in the hands of EU Special Representative Peter Sorensen to work with both sides supported, of course, from Brussels, Berlin, Paris and other EU member states, “and I still hope in a constructive way by the US<1.

“QU The INT is just as important here. QUINT is made up of US, Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy.

She cited the fact that Manuel Sarrazin has also been very clear publicly to Pristina during the Berlin Process in October last year, when it was about reaching a Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and Albin Kurti long refused to lift the import ban on Serbian goods.

According to her, if it is again necessary to intervene with Belgrade or Pristina as part of the Berlin Process, other actors will carry out the task, such as this year, Great Britain will be the host of the Berlin Process Summit.

German Embassy stressed for CALLXO that Germany remains a strong lawyer of the EU accession process for the Western Balkan countries; strengthening its commitment to their European future.

“Co-operation within the framework of the Berlin Process remains an essential instrument in this effort. Initiated by Germany, the Berlin Process aims to speed up the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU, promote regional co-operation and cultivate strong neighbourly relations among nations in the region.” answered by this Embassy.

However, Deimel estimates that such a decision is a signal to the German people that the new federal government wants to simplify the camera and should make savings for financial reasons. On the other hand, according to her, Germany's Christian Democrat Union (CDU) conservative has now received the Federal Foreign Ministry for the first time since 1966.

It commemorates how often Angela Merkel was Chancellor has been seen since the ministry was run by the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Germany's Social Democrat Party (SPD) and recently by the Jelly under Chancellor Olaf Scholz from the party there was a kind of race between the Ministry and the Federal Chancellor's Office.

But ultimately it weakened the foreign ministry, as key decisions were made in the Chancellor. Now both the Federal Chancellor and the Foreign Ministry are in the hands of the CDU.” she said.

According to her, new Foreign Minister Johann Wadefhul could use this in his favor, and this could give more weight to his work in foreign policy if these two institutions cooperate.

Deimel stressed that Sarrazin was dedicated to the entire region and worked particularly to make progress within the Berlin Process, however, his mandate “was somewhat unclear, somewhere between diplomacy and mediation”.

“Although this gave him some room for action, it was not easy in terms of determining and limiting his responsibilities within the government device and also in perceiving his political weight abroad. She added:

After all, Deimel says the Foreign Ministry has not only separate departments for the Western Balkans, but also a Special Representative for Southeast Europe, Turkey, EFTA, the OSCE and the Council of Europe (Milael Reiffenstwell), which reports live to the foreign minister and state ministers.

Their portfolio, according to her, now includes the Berlin Process, which was again clearly established in the agenda in the new coalition agreement.

Frauke Seebass, analyst at the German Institute for International Affairs and Security, says the dismissal of Sarrazin among the other Emisars was already promised by Merz on the eve of the elections.

So it's not personal for the region!

On the Kosovo and Serbia issue, however, she does not think the absence of an Emisari in itself will have effect, but personality change will.

“depending on how the Federal Foreign Ministry will handle it and who will be responsible will likely have a change in approach, but it is too early to say how.” she added, saying that the official government policy has been and continues to support the EU's Emissar for dialogue; including sending personnel to negotiating teams; and accompanying it as part of the QINT format.

Does the German approach to Kosovo differ with Chancellor Merz?

The new conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz has just received the mandate to govern Germany.

Analyst Deimel estimates that with the most important foreign policy adviser at Federal Chancellor Günter Sautter, federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is bringing to the Chancellor a diplomat who former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had appointed the foreign ministry's political director.

According to Deimel, Sautter has been in Kosovo in October 2024 and, as a result, has been able to create an impression on the ground and develop first political discussions. On the other hand, Foreign Minister Wadephul has long been familiar with the Western Balkan region.

“From his statements in recent years can be concluded that border changes (still?) are rejected and that Kosovo's independence remains indisputable. However, Wadephul has named German Chancellor Olaf Scholz “amator”, when the latter declared during his visit to Belgrade and Pristina in 2022 that Serbia should recognise Kosovo as a precondition for EU membership.” she said.

In addition, she added that Wadefhul has recently met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, and according to what he has managed to understand the talks concerned, among other things, Serbian-German relations.

Serbia still remains important to Berlin in terms of security and, among other things, economically because of lithium. Unfortunately, as far as I know, Wadephul has made no public statement on ongoing protests in Serbia. In this direction Alexander Wuchitch will be able to continue to account in Berlin. She thinks.

While on the other hand, Deimel raises concern for Kosovo, saying the fact that it has been in a political crisis since the February elections and is failing to get out of this unclear situation is weakening more and more in the international context.

According to her, especially at a time of major security policy challenges it is difficult to positively treat a Kosovo that is currently politically unstable and not focus more on a stable Serbia”.

Deimel says the ruling CDU coalition/ The SPD, now led by Chancellor Merz, is only partially compatible with Albin Kurti's party ideology, Vetevendosje, and thus makes it even more important not to lose confidence in Kosovo's ability to act politically and prove itself a reliable political actor in the region.

The current domestic political blockade does not help at all. This is especially true of Dialogue with Serbia. She added:

On the other hand, Frauke Seebass estimates it's too early to assess whether Merz will engage more or less in the region, yet personally “I don't think Merz himself will be involved in the region”.

“Foreign Minister Wadelephul and his Minister of State Krichbaum have long worked in the region and will likely take over this portfolio.” she said. /Periscopi/