In the frame of the Security Conference in Munich, the German government’s representative for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin emphasized through an interview for DW that “the goal is the successful integration of the Western Balkans into the EU.”

According to him, Kosova and Serbia should advance the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement.

DW: At the Security Conference in Munich this time, it was noticeable that there was nothing about the Western Balkans in the official program, although there were two side events, where the Balkans was noted. It was evident that it was not included in the agenda. How do you explain it?

Manuel Sarrazin: I believe that everyone knows that we are at a stage when the war in Ukraine, the question of the future world order, the US elections and Trump, seem to be in the foreground for the moment. I believe that we should not forget that in all these issues, Europe’s strategic ability to positively develop the Western Balkans will be decisive to the question of whether they will take us seriously in other issues. Of course, the EU is required to supply Ukraine, but the topic at least second in importance is the Western Balkans. If the EU’s capacity there is not functioning adequately there, how can anyone far, far away from us take us seriously in the global competition regarding major world issues(?).

DW: There was a panel on EU enlargement. It was attended by the president of Georgia, a representative of Ukraine. The Western Balkans was also absent there. And when you are in the region, you often get the impression that people are actually afraid, as their subject is marginalized as a result of the great challenges that Ukraine brings. How do you take this situation?

Manuel Sarrazin: I understand that many people are, let’s say, afraid as we have been waiting for a long time and now others seem to be overtaking the Balkans. First, I think we should keep in mind that each country’s success story towards enlargement will be to the benefit of everyone. Ukraine has made Europe determined to want enlargement with the Western Balkans too, all the capitals, not only Berlin or Brussels, but others too. The Chancellor and the Foreign Minister are very connected with the enlargement of the Western Balkans in their biography and mindset. For us, Ukraine and the Western Balkans are not a contradiction, but both have an extraordinary geostrategic importance.

DW: Never before has there been such a good lineup of representatives for the Balkans in the EU. On the other hand, time is running. We are now just before the European elections and there will certainly be many changes at the European level. What should we draw from in respect to the policy towards the Western Balkans? What should happen in this brief window that is still there?

Manuel Sarrazin: I think it is clear, everyone is clear, that history is being written in these times. History is often written faster than you think. I can say that I don’t have the impression that my work, my activity is running out of time, but the point is to work together, so that we, the policy of the German government as an EU member state, give our contribution, in such a way for the European concert to be successful in the Western Balkans. And we all work for one goal, which is the successful integration of the Western Balkans into the EU. And the Commission [EC] will soon make new proposals, to make the journey towards this goal more reliable.

DW: Let’s also dwell on Bosnia and Kosova, March 12 is an important moment for Bosnia. Don’t you get the impression that the country is going through a political development to better fulfill its clauses. What needs to happen from your point of view as Charged for the Western Balkans, so that from March 12, maybe a new chapter opens?

Manuel Sarrazin: The coalition has given some subtle signals that it is ready to make some preliminary reforms, in order to enable us to positively follow the path. We have to see this. We see the subtle signs, but we really want to see them. That seems to me to be the situation as it is, and we will certainly keep the pressure strong in order to see as many positive developments as possible. Credibility is crucial, so that we can be convinced that the path of reforms will continue in a sustainable way. In this regard, we want to receive signals from Sarajevo.

DW: The second sphere of conflict, or perhaps the biggest in the region, continues to be the issue of Kosova – Serbia – the dialogue. Many are discouraged, they take two steps forward and then two steps back, sometimes three steps back and one step forward, and in that regard many have said, maybe the window is now closing. Who knows what will happen after the European elections (?), after the elections in USA (?). What is the approach of the person in Charge for the Western Balkans to bring a breakthrough there, so that someday a lasting solution can be reached in the interstate relationship between Kosova and Serbia?

Manuel Sarrazin: First of all, it must be said that the window is not closed yet. We have the EU special envoy, Miroslav Lajcak, who is working. He has an agenda and he wants to achieve the implementation of Ohrid [Agreement]. And our approach is to support him and do everything, so that this window is exploited, which Miroslav Lajcak fills now. He is very active and that is our approach. It seems to me that there is no point in thinking too much about what will come next. We are for Ohrid and we want both parties to move forward with the implementation of Ohrid and I think this is crucial. I see on both sides that domestic politics will become an important factor. I want to say it explicitly, the future of the entire region is in the EU and this must sometimes stand above domestic politics.

DW: Both Vucic and Albin Kurti were in Munich. Is there any positive news after the talks with these two politicians to tell, or any signs of hope? Was there any impulse to tell that something is happening?

Manuel Sarrazin: It is not something I could talk about here. But one thing can be known for sure, that the German government remains committed to doing everything, so that there will be progress here soon.

(According to DW)