The last weeks in the Western Balkans were marked by the topics of Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe, as well as the planned Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica in the United Nations General Assembly. Both events raised tensions, especially in Serbia and Republika Srpska.
Looking at the bigger picture, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process, a German initiative set up as a platform for high-level cooperation between senior officials of the Western Balkans Six. At the summit in October, an overview of the steps the countries have taken in establishing a common regional market will be given.
About these issues portal European Western Balkans he spoke with Manuel Saracin, the special representative of the German federal government for the Western Balkans.
We also touched on the relations between Serbia and Germany, which faced certain strained consequences after the controversial December elections in Serbia, as well as the recent events in Montenegro and their relationship with the country's aspirations for EU membership.
EWB: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voted last week and overwhelmingly recommended that Kosovo be invited to become a member of the Council of Europe. Will Germany advocate for the membership of Kosovo at the next meeting of the Committee of Ministers? Can you explain Berlin's position on this issue?
Saracin: We closely followed the events in the Parliamentary Assembly. And we, of course, take into account the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly in our deliberations. Of course, we are strong friends and supporters of Kosovo. We also stand behind the idea of bringing Kosovo closer to Europe, which means membership in the Council of Europe. But the decision will ultimately rest with the Council of Ministers, and it is crucial that Kosovo now does everything it can to convince the vast majority of member states. In particular, minority rights are a key topic for the Council of Europe.
EWB: The Serbian authorities are extremely dissatisfied with the progress of Kosovo, considering that Pristina has not done enough to meet the necessary criteria, primarily in connection with the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities. Will the establishment of ASM remain necessary for Kosovo's membership in the CE?
MS: I have to admit that I cannot follow Serbia's argument. At least for the German side, I can say that the criteria mentioned by Serbia were never published as our criteria for the eventual membership of Kosovo in the Council of Europe.
In general, the situation regarding minorities in Kosovo is very relevant. But Kosovo has an obligation from the Brussels Agreements reached in 2011 and 2013, as well as from the Ohrid Agreement, to apply the ASMM. What is clear is that both Kosovo and Serbia should implement the Ohrid Agreement, which implies the establishment of the ASMM.
EWB: Is Serbia violating the Ohrid Agreement by opposing Kosovo's membership in the CE?
MS: There is a clear obligation in the Ohrid Agreement: Serbia must not prevent Kosovo from joining international organizations. I do not see how Serbia's current actions are in accordance with the text or the spirit of the agreement.
EWB: The main topic in the Serbian public these weeks is the UN resolution on Srebrenica, which is co-sponsored by Germany. Why is the adoption of such a resolution important and what was Germany's motivation to raise this issue?
MS: Germany co-sponsored this resolution together with Rwanda and a number of other UN member states. We are globally and at all times committed to preventing genocide. It is of great importance for us to preserve the memory of the horrors of the Holocaust. That is why we are also committed to sharpening the memory of other internationally recognized genocides in recent history.
The coming 11th of July marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide against Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica in 1995. Genocide has been historically and legally proven and classified as genocide by independent international courts and individual perpetrators have been convicted. With this commemoration, we would also honor the prosecution of genocide by international jurisdictions.
I think it must be clearly stated that this resolution is not against Serbia, Republika Srpska or any other state, entity or group. It is related to the crimes committed and the genocide that took place. This is what is said not only by international courts, but also by the legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The text of the resolution is directed against actions such as denial and glorification of genocide. The resolution does not mention any country or any group in particular. Resolutions to commemorate the Holocaust as well as the genocide in Rwanda have existed for many years.
EWB: Since the December elections, Serbian state officials have repeatedly accused Germany of interfering in Serbia's internal politics. Some would say that such statements significantly damaged Germany's reputation in Serbia. Are you worried about this?
MS: What worries me is some of the rhetoric being used. This does not fit into my idea of sincere friendship and positive engagement of Germany, as one of the lawyers trying to bring Serbia closer to the European Union.
As a sincere friend, we also talk about the deficits we see, especially in terms of democratic development, pluralism and the rule of law in the country. Serbia is a candidate country for membership in the European Union and therefore, of course, the EU expects Serbia to follow our example and align with our values and policies. Large deficits in the electoral processes are hindering Serbia's aspirations for EU membership.
The government is now working on the recommendations of the OSCE and we are of course ready to support wherever we can. We engage positively and constantly.
EWB: You visited Belgrade and met with President Vučić. After the meeting, the Presidency of Serbia issued a very harsh statement stating that you did not agree on any issue, only on preserving peace in the region. What was the topic of your meeting? In addition to the Kosovo issue, are you talking about the elections in Serbia?
MS: Contrary to the statement, it was not an acrimonious meeting. Diplomacy doesn't just stop at difficult topics, you keep talking about them. I felt that there was a constructive atmosphere, and of course we do not agree on all topics.
I am traveling a lot around the region to prepare the ground for this year's 10th Berlin Process Summit in October. I believe that the Government and the President of Serbia will be constructive as before regarding the Berlin process, and this is what I feel from my conversations with Serbian partners.
The Berlin process and regional integration bring benefits to the region and are in the interest of the people of Serbia. I think that President Vučić is aware of that.
EWB: Speaking of the Berlin process - what do you expect from this process in the future? Are the leaders of the Western Balkans sufficiently committed to finalizing the work on the common regional market?
MS: It remains to be seen whether the leaders of the region are committed enough or not. I hope and we are trying to take important steps towards the finalization of the common regional market, five years after the Sofia Declaration and 10 years after the launch of the Berlin Process.
The Berlin process is a very constructive political forum where the Western Balkan six can agree on things together, without perhaps disagreeing on other issues. The Berlin process is an established format in which everyone has to contribute their part, but also get something out of it. At the same time, the Berlin Process is a tool that helps countries become ready for EU membership.
It is clearly connected with the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the strategy of the European Union. I think most of the leaders in the region see an opportunity that the Berlin Process can bring something positive for them and their countries. We see ourselves and the Berlin Process as a service and contribution to the European agenda and overall progress in the region.
EWB: In recent days, the actions of the Special State Prosecutor's Office in Montenegro have led to the arrest of individuals who were part of criminal structures associated with the former regime. How do you assess the fight against corruption in Montenegro so far? Can solving this issue bring Montenegro closer to the EU?
MS: All the steps regarding the rule of law are the main key on the way to the EU. In this field, I think that the current government has made some important steps by filling the vacant positions in the judicial system. But, of course, this alone will not be enough. There is also a lot of legislative work that still needs to be done.
Judicial reform does not only mean that you have a prosecutor's office and it works. This means having courts, police and prosecution that must be functional, independent and work together. I see that in Montenegro there is a political will to make it happen. We want to be helpful and supportive, but as we have seen before in other countries, the number of cases alone will not be enough to really achieve results in the fight against corruption and organized crime.
Of course, it is not an easy solution. There is still a lot of hard work ahead. But it is valid, for the EU perspective, but also for people in the country who want to get rid of corruption and organized crime and have real opportunities in their lives.
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