The Foreign Minister of Kosovo, Donka Gërvalla-Schwarz, had a meeting with her German counterpart in Berlin. The two chief diplomats reaffirmed the necessity of mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo.
 The German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock, in the joint conference with her counterpart from Kosovo, Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, emphasized that Serbia cannot enter the EU without recognizing Kosovo. “As the German government, we have a very, very clear stance on recognition,” Baerbock said. She said that Germany is actively working for the membership of all Western Balkan countries in the EU and this means mutual recognition. “The strength of the European Union is that even if you have different opinions in different policy areas, we must protect each other in case of need. What we have in Article 5 of the NATO Treaty is also sanctioned in the European Treaty, mutual commitment.”
The Foreign Minister of Germany called the liberalization of visas for Kosovo as the “highest priority”. “We have been talking about this for a long time. Since 2018, the Commission has already confirmed to Kosovo that the conditions for visa liberalization have been met. Last week it confirmed further progress in the area of ​​rule of law.  Visa liberalization is now needed, and it is up to us as EU countries to make it happen.”
Donika Gervalla-Schwarz in her speech to the journalists emphasized the insecurities that exist in the region due to the Russian influence, and drew attention not to forget this.
Gërvalla asked Germany to consider the possibility of a greater military presence in the region. “I am very happy that the United States of America has fulfilled our long-standing request and is now sending 300 American soldiers to the region and to Kosovo. And I would also like to ask that Germany and others consider whether they can, or should, send similar signals to the region.”
The two politicians also spoke about the Berlin Process, within which a conference of the Foreign Ministers of the six Western Balkan countries is expected next week in Berlin.

/Klara Ruci/