EU enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn campaigned this week in the German Bundestag for accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. In spite of the resistance of the CDU/CSU, he is not giving up hope.
DW: Mr. Hahn, you have recently described in an Interview as a fire man and as an architect for the countries of the Western Balkans. I ask you, first of all, as a firefighter. In Albania escalated last week, the situation. The danger of the recurrence looming. What resources would you offer to calm the situation?
Hahn:Behind it is that I’m trying, on the one hand, conceptually, things develop, but sometimes also on the spot must appear, in order to solve current problems, hopefully. In the case of Albania, I can return only all political leaders to call and encourage, to the classical political parliamentary work. It is the task of the government is to reach out to the Opposition. It is the task of the Opposition is constructively critical, but engaged, to contribute. And there is also the question of which image of Albania internationally emits.
The current situation, the decision to open accession negotiations would start in June, affect?
Of course. The image of a country, has a significant impact on the mood of the responsibility of racks in the European Union, because, in turn, the representative of the relevant population and for the Otto-normal consumers, it is difficult to understand, when he sees, on the one hand, the images in the watch and on the other hand, hears that this country should negotiations be ready for the opening of accession.
Albania is currently not a good picture
Minister of state Roth said in an Interview that Albania should get the invitation to accession negotiations in June. How realistic is that?
I am all for it, because the accession negotiations offer the possibility of the development of the country from a European point of view, the European set of values of influence. Therefore, it is better to start as early as possible.
In Northern Macedonia the situation is more promising than in Albania. The possibility that the North of Macedonia, Albania will be treated separately is?
My goal is that both countries are treated in parallel, because we are present at the same time the report. But I can’t take the decision-making of the member States in advance. The fact is that the North of Macedonia has made considerable and not only in the context of what we have requested, but also with the settlement of the name dispute. But also with the settlement of the bilateral conflict with Bulgaria, North of Macedonia, created a condition that it is suddenly the only country in the Region that has no conflict with a neighbor.
That is, if Albania moves forward, Macedonia could start accession negotiations?
Our view is that Every process, that is to say: enlargement negotiations, is a process that is based on the merits and performance of each individual country. It would be unfair if a country does not have to wait for another, if it delivers. That’s the basic principle. Of course it would be ideal if all six Western Balkans would join States at the same time, but this is unrealistic, because it is also unfair to those involved stronger, come to solutions, the compromise are capable of are able to decisions. The should not be punished for the fact that they are better.
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Politicians of the CDU/CSU have said to the DW last week that they will not be able to make a decision in June. They’re still fighting to bring the accession negotiations on the agenda of the European Council in June?
For me, in Vienna there is a saying: Give up to do only one letter. Nothing else. And therefore, I will strive until the last Moment that we will establish as soon as possible a decision. I think that we ourselves value and we are also our partners guilty. If our partners deliver what they have agreed with us, and what we have proposed in turn as a condition, then we should redeem that promise.
29. May be published in the progress reports for all the countries of the Western Balkans. What are we going to get to read?
A lot of Good, and some Critical. There is progress here and there. But there are also setbacks and standstills. It is to be noted, for example, critical that the current talks between Serbia and Kosovo for a few months on ice. I hope that it is not only because of the Season, this ice cream melts. So, in clear text, that the negotiations can begin soon.
Mrs Merkel and Mr Macron have launched an Initiative to support these conversations. What are the effective means of the European Union, in order to move both sides to a compromise?
Also our own credibility. When we give, so to speak, by deeds and not by words the impression: Yes, we want you to have as a medium – and long-term member, then we need to deliver our contributions. And I think, for example, if the candidate can start negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, then it is the best incentive for the Serbs and the Kosovars to get back to the negotiating table. If we do not deliver in this regard, missing the incentive for the two to sit down. Because what you should bring in the end state, will be in the respective countries, with a large round of applause accompanied. This requires a lot of courage, and Courage of the actors, to sit here at a table and work here again, a compromise.
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Also, the visa liberalization for Kosovars to do this?
In case it is something Special, in the question of the credibility it belongs to.
Nevertheless, the Kosovo President, Thaci is of the opinion that without the US, successful negotiations can come about. Do you share that view?
There is a clear international Commitment, as these negotiations have to expire. Of course it is good, when there are important international players, a back cover, if the international community is United in the idea that the two countries get to a legally binding agreement and to the extent that the United States are important as a Supported.
They had supported last year the idea of border changes between Kosovo and Serbia sometimes. That is, in your opinion, still a possible solution for the normalization of relations between the two countries?
I didn’t want to Express the same prohibition of Thought. I have also made it immediately clear what comes at the end of the day on solutions that can just not be solutions that come at the expense of stability, peace and security in the Region. So no solutions at the expense of third parties. It is much too early to make statements, because, for example, the question of minority backup will be a Central core of change, because it lives of many Serbs on the entire territory of Kosovo, and not in a specific area of Kosovo. So, there will be many, many individual puzzle pieces, which you can hopefully put a beautiful picture in the end together.
The Interview was conducted by Anila Shuka
Johannes Hahn is an Austrian politician of the ÖVP, and since 2014, the EU Commissioner for European neighbourhood policy and enlargement negotiations.