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| Sussane Schutz |
Former German ambassador to Tirana, Sussane Schutz speaks about the Western Balkans in an interview with Deutsche Welle.
The rapprochement of the Western Balkans to EU is a strategic decision and has been at the top of Germany's agenda as the next EU Presidency.
Deutsche Welle: We are on the verge of a change of years. The German Presidency of the European Council is coming to an end. Complaints are heard from the Western Balkans because there have been no successes in some important points: e.g. on "accession talks" with Albania, North Macedonia, and visa liberalization for Kosovo, as well as the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue.
Schütz: The rapprochement of the Western Balkans with the European Union, as a very important strategic decision for the region, but also for us, was at the top of Germany's agenda last year. Taking a retrospective look at 2020 we are pleased that significant progress has been made in the Western Balkans. Although people in the region may have hoped for more, the success should be seen and not the failures. Thus, in March, an important decision was taken by the EU member states to start accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia, an important political decision that was reached several times. It goes without saying that we would have liked the first accession conferences to take place now at the end of the year. We have walked a lot with both countries on this road. Albania lacks the fulfillment of some conditions, which can be met at the beginning of next year, these are our hopes. In the case of North Macedonia, we are very disappointed that we failed to find a compromise, despite the intensive work we did with both countries, Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
At the same time, we must not forget that Northern Macedonia managed to join NATO. This was a very important step, made possible by the Prespa Agreement.
We have also done well in the normalization dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. With the appointment of Miroslav Lajčák as the EU's special charge for dialogue, the resumption of the dialogue was effectively achieved after a long pause.
Regarding visa liberalization for Kosovo, this is actually a difficult process, because the skepticism must be overcome by some member states. But we have also put this issue on the agenda of the Council working groups, together with the request sent to the Commission to bring other information. These are good predispositions to continue talks next year in the hope of achieving visa liberalization, to finally deliver on the EU promise.
Deutsche Welle: You said that Albania lacks the fulfillment of certain conditions? What conditions are in question?
Schütz: The rule of law is of course an important topic. In the case of Albania, the problem is also on the ability of the high-level courts to function, ie the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. That is why we welcomed Albania when appointed the sixth judge of the Constitutional Court, in order the Constitutional Court can function again. We are waiting for the same thing to happen soon for the Supreme Court. This is an important condition for EU member states to approve the next steps.
Deutsche Welle: How do you assess the chances of finding a compromise for North Macedonia?
Schütz: The condition for decision-making is that all countries vote. In the case of Northern Macedonia, it was unfortunately not possible to persuade Bulgaria to vote in favor. But even Northern Macedonia itself had its limits, which could not be exceeded. Talks are set to resume next year. We have made it clear that bilateral issues, especially historical differences, have no place in the accession process. We, therefore, requested that issues relating to common history be discussed in the commission of historians that the two countries have raised in the framework of the Friendship Agreement. After all, Bulgaria also wants Northern Macedonia to join the EU.
Deutsche Welle: You mentioned the resumed dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. How do you assess the current process?
Schütz: The situation in Kosovo's domestic politics has further complicated the dialogue. And the coming months, the elections to be held and the formation of the government after them, will not facilitate the talks. However, since the summer there have been several meetings at the political level and especially at the expert level, in which we have been told that both sides are engaged constructively. Of course there are many differences that need to be overcome. It is crucial that at the end of the dialogue we have an agreement that stably regulates all open issues and is politically stable in both countries. This will enable Serbia and Kosovo the prospect of EU accession and contribute to regional stability.
Deutsche Welle: We mentioned Kosovo with its problems in domestic politics. But even in Serbia, the impression should not be created that there is a willingness to change the current attitude towards Kosovo ...
Schütz: It should be in Serbia's interest to advance the dialogue, because of its EU accession talks. We know that it is not easy, but I believe that Serbia also understands that Kosovo's independence is not reversible. We must not forget that the United States will have a new government after January 20, which will give a new impetus to the talks.
Deutsche Welle: Do you think that the idea of a "compromise" between Serbia and Kosovo for a change of territories is no longer a topic for the negotiating table and that dialogue according to European criteria has now gained the upper hand?
Schütz: The EU, whose leading role in the dialogue has also been acknowledged by the US, has always stressed that we need to talk about an agreement that contributes to the stability and does not destroy it. Therefore, I think that the idea of changing territories is no longer a topic of discussion.
Deutsche Welle: There were positive signals last week from Montenegro. To create the impression that the new Prime Minister finds the right words when talking about Europe and NATO. What are your hopes for the Krivokapic Government?
Schütz: We should welcome the fact that the new Prime Minister has accepted EU integration and NATO membership, and does not question the recognition of Kosovo. We now hope that Montenegro, which has moved forward in negotiations with the EU, will continue the reform process. Here care must be taken that the new government is evaluated according to concrete results.
Deutsche Welle: How do you assess the concerns that Krivokapic plays a lot with the Serbian card and that the Serbian Orthodox Church could play a major role?
Schütz: Many Montenegrin politicians have close relations with the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is not our job to evaluate this. The criterion to be used is more how the policy is made, what decisions are made. And for this there is a clear criterion for us which is: EU integration, NATO policy and the role in regional policies.
Deutsche Welle: Let's take a look at Bosnia and Herzegovina. 25 years after Dayton many people have made the balance that a new structure is definitely needed, a process that is new constitutional. As so far can not be continued in this country. How do you help this country to train?
Schütz: We first make a positive balance 25 years after Dayton, because we have achieved 25 years of stability. At the same time, we see that Bosnia and Herzegovina is far behind in the process of rapprochement with the EU. However, there have also been important steps towards rapprochement with the EU. With the help of the EU, the 14-point plan must now be implemented. The High Representative also contributes to the country moving forward. We want to work harder in this direction, to achieve new dynamics.
Deutsche Welle: Berlin is in many cases a landmark for the Western Balkans, economically, politically, and therefore much was expected from the next German presidency in the EU Council. How will you use this strength and confidence in the future?
Schütz: It was important that this year is coming to an end, that we had the Western Balkans very high on the EU agenda and showed with our policy that the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU is a strategic goal for us.
And we will continue this policy actively next year, although we will not have the presidency in the Council. Thus, for the next year, Germany has taken over the chairmanship of the Berlin process, launched in 2014 at the initiative of Germany together with the countries of the Western Balkans and some EU partners. We will combine our work with the decisions taken at the last meeting of the Berlin Process, held in Sofia, which successfully relied on the common regional market created by the six countries and decided to create a "Green Agenda".
Deutsche Welle: For people in the region, this whole process is taking a long time, especially for young people who turn their backs on your country. How can young people be kept motivated not to leave. What should be done?
Schütz: This is an important question, which we addressed in late October as part of a conference on youth, migration and demographics, together with representatives from government and civil society. It said that the lack of rule of law and corruption are important causes that drive migration. We will deal with this in the context of maintaining the lead in the Berlin Process, and we will continue the dialogue with civil society and youth. Of course, we will from time to time urge the governments of the region to respect the principles of the rule of law and to fight corruption more. Other elements are added to these, for example, the issues of the education system and the fight against unemployment. It is important to achieve the conditions in these countries to create perspectives for the future of people with all their families.
Deutsche Welle: What did they expect from the politicians of the Western Balkans next year, 2021, to bring to life all the topics we talked about here? And the second part of the question is, what do you offer for that?
Schütz: The message to the region is: you have the prospect of becoming an EU member. Both governments and people in the region have made very clear decisions in this regard. But to get there you have to work. Progress in the rule of law, independence of the judiciary and the media, the fight against organized crime and corruption are in the interest of the countries themselves and their population. EU acceptance is the acceptance of a community of values and standards. This is what the people of the region want from their governments. And this will be measured next year by the governments of the Western Balkans.
Note: Ambassador Susanne Schütz is actually in charge of Southeast Europe at the German Foreign Ministry.