France and Germany are organising a summit on and with the Western Balkans on Monday 29 April in Berlin, in the presence of the leaders of the six countries of the region, Croatia, Slovenia and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.
According to a French source, it is an “informal summit of debate and discussion among leaders”, which should focus mainly on “regional cooperation and stability”, but whose objective is also to encourage Serbs and Kosovars to resume their dialogue. On the other hand, for Paris, which is reluctant to accept the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, enlargement is not one of the subjects to be discussed, because “we have no legitimacy to address these issues that fall within the EU's remit”, according to a French source.
On the occasion of this summit, the Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, in charge of the Western Balkans region, gave a written interview to EUROPE (questions compiled by Camille-Cerise Gessant)
Agence Europe - According to the French, the summit's objective is not to replace the other processes - the accession process and the Berlin process - but it “underlines the importance for the Franco-German couple to deal informally, without any desired results, in particular with the leaders of these countries, with the challenges of stability”. Do you think the Franco-German initiative is a good thing? Does it not add an additional layer, when the integration and Berlin processes already exist?
Johannes Hahn - Every form of engagement for this region is welcome, but is must be clear, of course, that the EU integration the Western Balkans countries is a political priority of the entire EU. This has been confirmed many times, just last year at the WB Summit in Sofia by all Member States and representatives of EU institutions.
Why won't you be present in Berlin?
The meeting will deal mainly with the Dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo and this is Mrs Mogherini responsibility.
What do you expect from the summit? Some German media report on a Franco-German plan for Serbia/Kosovo [the existence of such a plan has, however, been denied by a French diplomatic source, Ed.]. Do you think a plan like this is useful?
This meeting should aim at de-blocking the current stalemate in the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. I welcome therefore the Franco-German initiative to engage stronger in this area. It is evident, however, that a sustainable, balanced and consensual solution can only be come from the countries concerned. After all, it’s their leaders who have to implement the agreement and get the acceptance of their peoples for it.
According to a French source, the summit should also be an opportunity for France and Germany to share their experience in reconciliation. Do you think this could be useful for the Western Balkans region?
I think we have a more recent example directly from the region: North Macedonia and Greece. They succeeded together to settle the name dispute which had burdened their bilateral relations for three decades! This is a historic achievement which sends a signal to the whole region that even longstanding conflicts can be settled.
French sources have announced that the summit will focus on “regional cooperation and regional stability” and that the issue of enlargement will not be discussed. Do you think that's a good thing? Is it possible to discuss the Western Balkans region without mentioning enlargement (see EUROPE 12226/2)?
Regional cooperation and stability are at the core of the EU-Enlargement process. The accession process is the most important driver of economic and rule of law reforms which are the basis for any democratic development. Regional cooperation as integral part of the enlargement process is essential, because without solving their bilateral disputes, the countries won’t be able to join the EU. You cannot separate these two processes.
Paris believes that this summit is also a “sign of a more active re-engagement of France in the region” of the Western Balkans, speaking of cooperation on social, economic or security issues. Do you think it is possible to re-engage, to have closer links, while being against the EU's enlargement to this region?
France has always been engaged in the Western Balkans. I appreciate President Macron’s broader push for a stronger EU foreign and security policy. But this should start right at our doorstep – the Western Balkans, especially in view of competitors like Russia, China and Turkey which have no interest in EU values and standards.
Therefore I am convinced that President Macron will share my opinion that it would absolutely not be in the geostrategic interest of the EU to leave the Western Balkans to other players. But this geostrategic engagement will only work if Member States, including France, will confirm the EU perspective by acknowledging the individual merits of the countries.
France seems always to be opposed to the opening of accession negotiations with Skopje and Tirana. Do you understand the French position?
North Macedonia has been refused the opening of accession negotiations for nearly a decade because of the name-issue with Greece. Now that this problem has been solved due to the political courage and determination of both leaders and we see also very good progress on internal reforms, it would be a huge disappointment if despite such an evident success story the opening of accession negotiations were delayed again. Albania, too, has made good progress on internal reforms, including in the area of the judiciary and Rule of Law. In view of these obvious, objective merits I am convinced that Member States will take the right decision for both countries.
Are you concerned that a delay (in the decision to open negotiations) could have a negative impact on the Western Balkans region?
This is about the credibility of the EU. Member States themselves set June 2019 as the date for their decision on the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. A delay could have a dramatic impact on the entire region.