The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz, stated today that the recent escalations in the north of Kosova have proved how important the cooperation between the Western Balkans and the European Union is.

In his speech at the Berlin Summit, which is being held in Tirana, Scholz stressed that “we must finally complete the implementation of the agreements that have been reached through the normalization dialogue led by the EU”.

“Albania is known for its hospitality and this has been proven once again today. We understood it even when we had the meeting of the European Council. Albania is also known for numerous high-level and ministerial meetings within the Berlin process. They were efficient and very well prepared. I remember very well when we met years ago in Berlin and we all agreed that the Berlin Process is the best instrument not only to release the full potential of regional cooperation, but also to speed up the EU integration of all the countries of Western Balkans,” said Scholz.

Chancellor Scholz said that “this assessment is as true today as it has been for years. The Berlin process is a forum for cooperation, when cooperation is needed, that is, it is required more than ever. Russia’s war against Ukraine has once again shown how important it is that we speak with a single European voice and that we cooperate even further.”

Addressing Prime Minister Rama, Scholz said that “as you also mentioned in your speech, it is very clear that the fact that we are sitting here, we know that we have a new, very difficult situation, not far from us, that it is already happening with the aggression of Hamas against Israel and all the consequences it has and can have. Even the multiple crises in the region in the Western Balkans have highlighted the urgent need to work more together and overcome antagonisms”.

It is high time, Scholz continued, to overcome the conflicts, which have been going on for much longer and which in fact have kept you, and only keep you, in a stalemate.

“I am very pleased that for the first time this summit is organized in a Western Balkan country. It is a strong signal and emphasizes the ownership that the region has in this process and we should use this opportunity to focus on the objective that all societies of the Western Balkans have and that is integration within the region and further progress in the journey towards the EU. Last year you took some major steps in relation with the signing of 3 mobility agreements and I am grateful that 4 out of 6 states have ratified these agreements so far,” underlined Scholz.

Chancellor Sholz said that “the impact of these agreements on the citizens of the Western Balkans is concrete and that now travelers cross the borders only with an ID. They can study or work in a neighboring country”.

“The kind of the progress we will have for the common regional market is more concrete than ever. You can count on us, on Germany. This is the Berlin Process,” underscored the German Chancellor.

/a.p./