Manuel Sarrazin (commons.wikimedia.org/Bündnis 90/Die Grünen Bundestagsfraktion)
Berlin’s official stance is that Serbia cannot be admitted into the European Union unless the country recognizes Kosovo’s independence, Germany’s special envoy for the Western Balkans Manuel Sarrazin said on Jan. 19.
Sarrazin further told the Nova daily that freedom of the media and democracy are also necessarily prerequisites for EU membership.
“We from Germany have always had a clear stance on the issue: once the process of normalizing relations approaches its conclusion, when Serbia decides to join the EU, recognizing Kosovo will be part of the process,” Sarrazin stated.
The envoy stressed that said recognition is something “Germany expects for sure” and that this expectation was “clearly stated when Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Serbia last June.”
Sarrazin also underlined that the EU is “in charge” of the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina. According to him, it is “essential” that the two sides reach an agreement – and that Serb representatives return to Kosovo institutions – “as soon as possible.”
To get full access to all content of interest see our
Subscription offer
Or
Register for free
And read up to 5 articles each month.
Already have an account? Please Log in.