NAN-F-37
Backing
Pristina (Germany), April 13, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Germany’s promise to back all Western Balkan countries on their path to the EUstill stands, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel says on Thursday in Kosovo’s capital Pristina.
“Germany stands by its promise and keeps the door open,” he said.
Gabriel visited the predominantly Albanian former Serbian province a day after a stop in Belgrade and ahead of April 17 journey to Tirana in Albania.
His mini-tour will focus on tensions creeping back into the region, which was ravaged by wars in the former Yugoslavia.
Slovenia and Croatia are already in the EU.
Western officials often seek to dangle the carrot of membership in front of EU candidates Serbia, Albania and Macedonia, and prospective candidates Bosnia and Kosovo, as the ultimate reward for reform and regional cooperation.
Many in the region, however, have grown impatient with the slow progress toward membership, which Gabriel said was understandable.
He promised financial support for infrastructure projects aimed at improving conditions in the region, in a bid to keep the majority behind the drive toward the EU and stop historical regional tensions from resurfacing.
“It will cost Europe, but it is a bargain compared to what we’d have to pay if the old conflicts break out again,” he said.
Kosovo with its majority Albanian population, declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade refused to recognise the move and still regards the province as its own.
Kosovo Albanians fought Belgrade rule in 1998 and 1999, and the conflict drew NATO into an intervention against Serbia.
The EU brokered normaliasation talks between Belgrade and Pristina, with the incentive for compliance of moving closer to EU membership but little of what was agreed has been implemented. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Grace Yussuf