German CDU MP Knut Abraham in an interview with Deutsche Welle stated that the “Open Balkans” is in favor of Kosovo, referring to the absence of the latter at the summit held in Ohrid on June 7 and 8 where they hosted  the leaders of the 5 Balkan countries, the Prime Minister Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, the President of Serbia, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, as well as the Chairman of the Councils of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Abraham stated that everything that helps to expand the Kosovo’s economy is good, referring to the “Open Balkans” as a perspective for Kosovo.

Meanwhile, Abraham also recounted the expectations he has from the visit of Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the region. According to the German CDU MP, credibility in the membership process must be restored. To achieve this, Abraham stressed, membership negotiations should begin in North Macedonia and Albania. “So, to exert massive influence on the friends in Sofia, so that bilateral issues, such as the Macedonian-Bulgarian problems, do not hinder the whole enlargement process in the Western Balkans,” he stressed.

The German MP also gave a clear message to Serbia, saying that it is time to decide whether to take a position with Europe or Russia. This is because President Vuçiç was one of the leaders who did not condemn the war in Ukraine, and did not join the sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia. “Do you want to go to Europe or do you want to be a kind of neutral zone with excellent relations with Moscow?” “Now, at this time, in this war situation, is the time to make a decision.”