Foreign Minister Baerbock for the first time in Tirana

2023-10-06 08:25:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Foreign Minister Baerbock for the first time in Tirana

Illustrative photo

Against the background of the intensification of tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, the German Foreign Minister Baerbock (6.10.2023) will consult in Tirana on the prospect of bringing the six countries of the Western Balkans closer to the EU.

For the Foreign Minister of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, this is the first visit to Albania. This meeting is considered as preparation for the next summit of the Berlin Process on October 16 in Tirana. Baerbock will use the participation in this meeting for talks with his Albanian counterpart as well as with the Prime Minister of Albania.

The Berlin Process initiative undertaken in 2014 by Chancellor Angela Merkel aims to achieve EU standards, norms and practices in these countries. Membership talks are currently underway with Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. Bosnia-Herzegovina is considered as a candidate for membership, while Kosovo is considered as a possible candidate for membership.

"All parties should intensify their commitment to bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU"

Before leaving for Albania, German Foreign Minister Baerbock (from the Green Party) called for all parties to intensify their commitment to bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU. "The EU must keep its word and the countries of the Western Balkans must advance the necessary reforms," ??declared Baerbock. According to her, many countries have made progress, "however, we constantly experience steps behind, new gaps are created, which must be overcome on the way to the EU." As an example, she mentioned, among other things, the attack on a police patrol on September 24 in Kosovo, where a Kosovar policeman was killed.

People in the Western Balkans have decided on the path to the EU. States "have been waiting a long time to take their place at the table" of the EU, Baerbock further stated. For young people, it is "clear that their future is in the EU".

The next meeting of the Berlin Process this year takes place for the first time in a Western Balkan country./ DW