Kosovo-Serbia Relations

„The future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union"

At the joint press conference last Wednesday, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz underlined that the future of all countries in the Western Balkans lies in the European Union and that this also includes Kosovo, whose international recognition Germany supports.

With regard to Serbia and Kosovo, Scholz also said that a serious dialogue around the central conflict between the two countries had to be resumed:

"I am convinced that in times like these, when a brutal war is being waged in a region close to us, it is crucial that both countries resolve the conflict step by step. This will contribute to peace and stability in the Western Balkans and in Europe as a whole."

The German Chancellor said on the occasion of the visit of Albin Kurti and Aleksandar Vučić that his country strongly supported visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens. He reminded that Germany was committed to cooperation among the countries of the region within the framework of the Berlin Process, adding that the most important process to be worked on at present was the establishment of a common regional market.

An informal dinner in Berlin with Head of State Vučić and Prime Minister Kurti, as well as EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajčák, was organised at the invitation of the German Chancellor.

However, the statements made by Kurti and Vučić immediately afterwards quickly made it clear again that an agreement on fundamental issues is probably still a long time coming.