Another summit of heads of state and government of the Western Balkans started today in Berlin. Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke about the European perspective, how the European Union is not complete without these "six" countries and how they can count on Germany. Very nice
The dynamic media conference of Vučić and Šolc, due to disagreements over the issue of Kosovo and sanctions against Russia, obscured the important message of the German chancellor that the leaders of the region should return to the Berlin process. It is nothing but a message to the open Balkans, Vučić and Rama, to get rid of the Open Balkans and return to the creation of a common regional market, which was worked on for years under the auspices of the European Union
Recommendations refer to the areas of good governance, security, reconciliation and dealing with the past, gender equality and diversity, common regional market and growth
The meetings resemble a ritual, progress is sporadic and not essential, and the entry of Serbia and its neighbors into the EU is not in sight, writes the German press after the meeting of the Berlin Process in the capital of Germany
Thanks to the Berlin Process, roaming tariffs for internet and phone calls between the countries of the Western Balkans are gradually being abolished. The European Union has invested 30 billion euros in the region, but the relationship between Belgrade and Pristina has not improved at all
The Berlin Process was launched in 2014 as a platform for stronger cooperation between the six countries of the Western Balkans and the EU. Ten years after the process was launched, many agreements remain unfulfilled
The Berlin process, launched ten years ago, brings together foreign ministers ahead of a summit that could bring about important changes in the regional cooperation of the Western Balkans. Although the focus is on the CEFTA agreement, disagreements between Kosovo and Serbia continue to cause tensions
Organized by the European Fund for the Balkans, the Group for Development Policies (GDP) and the professional organization BiEPAG (Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group), the conference "EU enlargement to the Western Balkans in times of uncertainty" was held in Belgrade on December 16, 2016. The round table was divided into two panels: "How to revive democratization and European projects in the Balkans" and "Berlin process after the summit in Paris"
The fact that Romania and Bulgaria are members of the European Union today, while Serbia and Croatia are not, shows that membership in the EU is more a matter of the Union's political will than the real economic situation of these countries.
Angela Merkel's autobiography, no matter how restrained and devoid of piquancy that would attract sensationalist attention, carries an exceptional value for the understanding of many contemporary political, economic and geopolitical processes and crises. The former German chancellor approaches topics from the point of view of state responsibility and public policy, and not through the prism of trivial details or insider testimonies
With much fanfare, the memoirs of former German chancellor Angela Merkel, titled "Freedom," arrived in bookstores. In them, Serbia and the region are mentioned in several places
Pristina has lifted the ban on products that are placed on the market in Kosovo from central Serbia. This measure applies only to the administrative point of Merdara, and it comes only a few days after the warning of the German diplomat to the Kosovo authorities
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suddenly arrives in Belgrade. It's about lithium. Members of the Bundestag generally warn that there should be no concessions to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. German businessmen, however, see the Serbian lithium story as an opportunity
"The treatment of the Russian Federation is tolerated, but in the meantime we have gained numerous negative points with other countries, which will be an obstacle to further integrations. The Baltic states, Poland, and those who feel threatened by Russia are angry. There is an understanding regarding energy dependence. But overstated statements against the West, direct support for Russia and pushing of an anti-Western narrative, as well as gestures like football matches, congratulations after the elections - these are all things that are recorded and worsen the Serbian position."
Apart from wine fairs, the unification of the labor market is one of the achievements of the "Open Balkans", the agreement between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, which is also called "mini Schengen".
From March, the free labor market between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania should enter into force. That's commendable, says economist Saša Đogović for "Vreme", but it falls short because other countries of the Western Balkans do not participate
"Mr. Kurti is our partner. He is sometimes a difficult partner, but he is a partner. Kosovo is our partner. Serbia is our partner. So, in the future, we want to take advantage of the good relations we have with Kosovo and the improvement of relations we have with Serbia."
It is certain that a certified agreement would be an important step on Serbia's European path, no matter how right those who say that the president is the biggest obstacle to those processes are right. That is why the civil opposition is in an awkward situation. It is clear that this issue is supra-party and national, and that some kind of agreement with Kosovo should be supported - how to reach it. If the opposition uses it for party points, it will give the impression of its non-constructiveness and irresponsibility, and it will also lose not very strong support from the West. On the other hand - how to provide support for the eventual agreement, without it being interpreted as support for the current regime
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State is optimistic about resolving the crisis in Kosovo. He believes that this is not the time for militarization but for negotiations, and that Serbia should not return the army to Kosovo. Serbia and Pristina are not a priority, but the entire Western Balkans. Association is necessary, because "your future will be better in integrations, than through separation", he said
It started with sowing fear, continued with special programs, and ended with a standard address to the people about whom we learned little. This is how the three "most difficult days" passed, as the media close to the regime labeled them, quoting top state officials
A strong argument in the hands of Aleksandar Vučić and Edi Rama, that the Open Balkans were entered because the Berlin process is not producing any results, was knocked out of their hands on Thursday. It has become clear that the EU and Germany are very interested in the Common Regional Market (CRM) in the Western Balkans. The summit was also attended by the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Aljbin Kurti, and the flag of Kosovo was not at all status-neutrally displayed among all other flags.
"We clearly support Serbia's European perspective and want to accelerate integration, but the pace is determined by the Government of Serbia, and adaptation to foreign and security policy is one of the points in the integration process. Any faltering in the reforms slows down the process, which is why Serbian women and Serbs suffer in the end"
There is a possibility to speed up the negotiations and for Serbia to become a member of the EU. The Open Balkans is one of the few constructive initiatives for connection and cooperation. He does not support Serbia's decision not to impose sanctions on Russia, but he tries to understand it. Pristina will say that all agreements must be implemented
In Pristina, the Chancellor of Germany practically called on Kosovo and Serbia to recognize each other, because two countries that are not recognized cannot be members of the European Union.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister of Kosovo rejected the offer of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that Serbia buys lignite from Kosovo in exchange for electricity or money. Economic cooperation is conditioned by the recognition of Kosovo and Serbia's distancing from Putin
For opposing the announced visit of the Russian Foreign Minister, Natan Albahari from the Movement of Free Citizens received dangerous threats. At the same time, the Doors demand the cancellation of the visit of the German chancellor, presumably as retaliation. And even in half an hour of his address in RTS's Dnevnik, the President of Serbia failed to clearly state what exactly his foreign policy is.
The President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, said on Wednesday in Pristina at a press conference with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, that Podgorica supports Pristina's request for membership in the Council of Europe.
