Heiko Maas: cooperation with US on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, there should be no discussions on border change

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has held a meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic, following meetings with his Western Balkan counterparts earlier this year. In January, Montenegrin Foreign Minister jeorjee Radulovi vizit paid his first visit to Berlin, Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovi en was in Berlin on Thursday, and the Bosnian Foreign Minister is expected to arrive in the coming weeks. -Herzegovina. After the meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Mr. Maas stated that Germany sees the support of the new United States administration as a new and good opportunity to reach an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. According to him, reaching such an agreement at the end of the dialogue, would bring, among other things, progress in the economic sector for both countries. "We are involved in the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. The European Union has a special envoy, who often visits the region. "With the help of the new US administration, there is an opportunity to find a solution and reach a comprehensive agreement that would bring economic progress." Maas said that the administration of Joe Biden is interested in having a solution in coordination with the EU and that he himself is waiting for the formation of the new government in Pristina. "The election of Joe Biden as President of the United States thus offers the opportunity to act once again at the transatlantic level and with determination for reconciliation, democracy and economic development in the Western Balkans."

Changing boundaries

One of the issues he emphasized regarding the dialogue process between the two countries was the change of Kosovo's borders. He said that changing the borders or shifting the borders, for each Balkan country, would be a wrong move and would not help anyone move forward. He also answered questions regarding the statements of the future Prime Minister of Kosovo, the leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Albin Kurti. Mr. Kurti, after the February 14 elections, clarified that dialogue with Serbia is not the main priority of the government that will be formed by him, placing it fourth on the list of priorities. "I can not say what Brussels' reaction would be. We have talked in the past and any change of borders, we see as something that is not beneficial. It is a line we follow. "Kosovo's new government should deal intensively with unresolved issues and open a European perspective for Kosovo," said Minister Maas. Minister Maas further clarified that Europe's strategic sovereignty is inconceivable without the countries of the Western Balkans. That is why the German Foreign Minister will welcome the Foreign Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Albania in the coming weeks in order to exchange views. That is why this summer Berlin will host a new summit as part of the Berlin Process while the Foreign Ministry hopes for the physical presence of the participants. Berlin knows why the countries of the Western Balkans are currently feeling disappointed. This is why it is noted that 3. 3 billion euros were approved in Brussels at the beginning of the pandemic to support the countries of the Western Balkans in overcoming the consequences of the coronavirus crisis. It goes on to say that Germany "thinks seriously" when it comes to the European perspective of the Western Balkans. That is why this summer Berlin will host a new summit as part of the Berlin Process while the Foreign Ministry hopes for the "physical presence" of the participants.