When Chancellor Scholz mentioned relaunching of the Berlin process the news was widely welcomed in the Western Balkans. Manuel Sarrazin, the German special representative for the Western Balkans confirmed in an interview for #BalkansDebrief that Germany is trying to play a role on the European path of the region and try to facilitate this process.
Sarrazin says that “we want, on the one hand give a new push and reinvigorate with new ideas and new topics, but to a certain extent, also try to bind together loose ends, take again up things which haven’t been finished yet and pursue them further”.
The common regional markets and the four freedoms, like the movements with ID cards, recognition of diplomas etc. are the heart of the Berlin process. But the last time around negotiations broke down in Sofia largely on differences between Serbia and Kosova. Is there optimism about a breakthrough in November’s summit?
“We are convinced that it is possible to reach something with the goodwill of the partners to get this again on the track and to get the train also running. Everybody is positive about Berlin process. Everybody is positive about common regional markets, so let’s do it, because times need such messages, and I think this is something which is well known in all six capitals”, Sarrazin added.
Asked by Ilva Tare on the role of the Open Balkan initiative if there is a deal for the common regional market, Sarrazin reinforces the dimension of the Berlin process as inclusive for all six Western Balkans countries.
“Regional cooperation integration of economics should always be inclusive and include all six countries, but for the simple reason that this is of course achieving the biggest economic benefit. And the second is that it should have a clear basis that it’s in line or even beneficial for a EU Acquis approaching and EU standards. And we believe common regional market is the right way to do so. If other initiatives are having the same standards, why should one be against?” says the German Special Representative.
Manuel Sarrazin has a message also for the critics of the Open Balkan initiative. “We should not talk so much negatively about the other guys, the other initiatives, they’re doing bad. I have a feeling that it’s the best if you deliver on your home ground and you try to fix the points, at your doorstep and you do your job instead of looking at others who are doing a job and starting, criticizing, and having general debates that they shouldn’t or stuff”, he concludes.
Ilva Tare, is a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington. She is now hosting Balkans Debrief, a new talk show presented by the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center.
Balkans Debrief features in-depth analysis and exclusive insights with policymakers and key players on subjects impacting more than 18 million people.
