Maas: Agreement between Serbia and Kosovo Would Help Entire Western Balkans on EU Path

Heiko Maass (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, pool)

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Oct. 28 that an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo would have a positive impact on the whole of Western Balkans’ EU path.

Opening the international online conference entitled “Young People, Migrations, and the Demographic Challenge in the Western Balkans”, Maas said there is no alternative to a comprehensive legally binding agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, adding that such a step requires strong political leadership.

“I’m convinced the leaders in Belgrade and Pristina will prove it and open the door to a new era. That would significantly contribute to the stability of the entire region,” the German minister said while praising the work of EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak during whose mandate the negotiations had been resumed following a 20 month hold-up.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement, Maas said that the EU has no place for countries denying war crimes. “This includes Bosnia and Herzegovina. In a country that wants to join the EU, there’s no room for nationalist propaganda, for denying war crimes or glorifying war criminals,” Maas added.

During the conference’s first panel, attended by the foreign ministers of the Western Balkan’s six or their deputies, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi reiterated that the EU remains committed to the region.