Serbian President attacks Scholz on a shared PK: "If you think you have to threaten us"
Created: 06/11/2022, 06:11
By: Patrick Mayer
Tensions during the PK: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (left) and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
© IMAGO / Christian Spicker
During his trip to the Balkans, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is campaigning for an end to the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo.
Pristina announces an application to join the EU.
Update from June 10, 7 p.m.:
Olaf Scholz is committed to ending the Serbia-Kosovo conflict – but his visit to Belgrade only fuels tensions.
The Chancellor caused outrage with statements on the recognition of Kosovo.
"So that you can understand it," said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the direction of Scholz.
"We don't react that way to pressure, where someone threatens us and then you have to do something."
From the EU he "heard for the first time today that mutual recognition is required".
Before his visit to Belgrade, Scholz made a detour to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo.
The SPD politician said about the efforts of Kosovo and Serbia to join the EU: “An agreement must ultimately also clarify the question of the recognition of Kosovo;
because it is inconceivable that two countries that do not recognize each other become members of the EU.”
(see first notification).
Scholz reacted calmly to Vucic's outrage in the joint press conference with the Serbian President.
He "said something that is obvious.
Maybe that will help.” Scholz emphasized that his goal was for the Western Balkan countries to join.
"Not just in the very distant future, but as soon as possible." It would be "very good if this is pushed forward with great courage".
Serbia, which considers Kosovo a breakaway province, "also wants territorial integrity" like Ukraine, Vucic said.
"Nevertheless, we are ready to talk about compromise solutions." Serbia has "never given up" on the dialogue.
"If you think you have to threaten us... we don't mind.
Do your job, we'll do ours."
The conflict between Serbia and Kosovo has not been resolved for years and is hampering the prospects of both Balkan countries joining the EU.
The government in Belgrade does not recognize the former southern Serbian province of Kosovo as an independent state.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is received in Belgras by Serbian President Aleksander Vucic (r).
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
After Scholz's visit: Kosovo is pushing into the EU - despite the conflict with Serbia
First report from June 10, 2:30 p.m.:
Munich / Pristina – The small state of Kosovo lies on the southern edge of Serbia, nestled between Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia.
1.9 million inhabitants live here, mostly of Albanian origin.
Belgrade does not recognize Kosovo in the middle of the Western Balkans.
With a declaration of independence on February 17, 2008, the former sub-region broke away from the Republic of Serbia.
This is recognized internationally, but not by the government in Belgrade.
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Olaf Scholz in the Balkans: Chancellor campaigns for Kosovo to join the EU
And so, for weeks, during the Russia-Ukraine war, the focus has been on the Western Balkans, some of which are still disputed to this day.
The planned trip to Serbia by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, which the European Union (EU) had prevented by banning flights over the territory of its alliance, should also be seen in this context.
To this day, Belgrade is considered a close partner of Moscow, even after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Kosovo and Serbia must find a political solution with a comprehensive, sustainable agreement.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD)
In this mixed situation, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is emphatically campaigning for both countries to join the European Union (EU).
But only if they settle their conflict, which is still smoldering today.
At the beginning of May, Scholz invited Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to Berlin, as did Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
Almost a month later, the Hanseatic traveled to Kurti in Pristina.
In times like these, the value of peace and security becomes particularly clear, the German head of government explained at a press conference: "And one more very important reason that Kosovo and Serbia should find a political solution with a comprehensive, sustainable agreement."
Olaf Scholz: EU accession only if there is an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo
It is clear that an agreement must ultimately also clarify the issue of Kosovo being recognized by Serbia, said Scholz: "Because it is inconceivable that two countries that do not recognize each other become members of the EU.
Everyone has to approach each other, no matter how difficult it is sometimes.”
So far, Kosovo has been considered a potential candidate for EU membership.
Now, in Scholz's presence, Kurti has announced that he will soon apply to join the European community of states.
"This year we are planning to apply for candidate status for the European Union," said the Kosovar Prime Minister.
In the video: Compact - The most important news about the Russia-Ukraine war
Kurti also said that the desired membership of Ukraine, which was affected by an "absurd invasion" by Russia, was also supported.
Because of Russia's aggressive geopolitical stance, Moldova and Georgia recently announced accession talks with Brussels.
"It is important for Kosovo that the EU-led dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia progresses," said Scholz, referring to the Western Balkans: "Kosovo and Serbia must "find a political solution that also contributes to regional stability."
Western Balkans in the Russia-Ukraine War: Fragile situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular, the political situation remains fragile to this day.
The country has three different presidents.
The West is particularly concerned about the Republic of Srpska.
Milorad Dodik, the Serbian representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina's three-man presidency, is considered a close ally of the Kremlin.
The United States, among others, accuses Moscow of supporting the Bosnian Serbs' efforts to secede.
The EU is therefore also campaigning for Bosnia, while it is now supposed to go much faster with Kosovo.
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