German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday told leaders of six Balkan countries that aspire to join the European Union that “it is high time to overcome regional conflicts” and stand together as Russia wages war in Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, front center, delivers a speech at the start of the ‘Western Balkans’ conference as he sits seats beside EU Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen, front right, and chancellor’s special commissioner for balcan politics Manuel Sarrazin, front left, at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michele Tantussi, pool)
Scholz and the European Union’s top officials joined leaders from Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania for a meeting at which they are expected to sign agreements on easing regional travel arrangements and mutual recognition of academic qualifications. They are also expected to discuss energy issues.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, welcomes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, for the ‘Western Balkans’ conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michele Tantussi)
Scholz highlighted the need to deliver on the countries’ longstanding desire to join the EU, which he said “is in our interest.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, welcomes North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, left, for the ‘Western Balkans’ conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michele Tantussi)
But, with tension brewing again between Serbia and Kosovo this week, he said that the nations themselves need to overcome problems that have slowed their path to the EU and pointed to “a sense of urgency.”
German Chancellor Olaf Schol, right, welcomes the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zoran Tegeltija, left, for the ‘Western Balkans’ conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michele Tantussi)
“Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine forces us to stand together to preserve Europe’s freedom and security,” Scholz said. “It is high time to overcome regional conflicts that have continued for far too long — conflicts that divide you and hold your countries back on your European path.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, welcomes European Council President Charles Michel, left, for the ‘Western Balkans’ conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michele Tantussi)
“The normalization process between Serbia and Kosovo in particular must speed up, so let’s get it done,” he added. Serbia doesn’t recognize its former province’s 2008 declaration of independence.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, welcomes Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, left, for the ‘Western Balkans’ conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michele Tantussi)
Alongside regional reconciliation and cooperation, “the challenges of irregular migration, corruption and organized crime are crucial issues for all of us,” Scholz said, adding that the Balkan countries’ commitment to align visa policies with those of the EU is “essential in this context.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, welcomes the President of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, left, for the ‘Western Balkans’ conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michele Tantussi)
Germany and others have been pushing Serbia in particular to tighten its entry policies as an increasing number of migrants have tried to reach wealthier western European countries via the Balkans in recent months.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, welcomes the Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazovic, left, for the ‘Western Balkans’ conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michele Tantussi)German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, welcomes Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, left, for the ‘Western Balkans’ conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michele Tantussi)
