German Minister for Europe Michael Roth has expressed concern that if the European Union keeps the Western Balkan countries waiting too long thus creating a vacuum in the region, then other forces which do not share the democratic values of the EU may take their place.
In an interview with Handelsblatt, Roth said:
“We urgently need positive signals for the Western Balkans. At stake is our trustworthiness.
The Minister expressed disappointment about the lack of progress contracts regarding the integration of WB countries during the German EU presidency.
Roth stressed that the EU’s reluctance can be interpreted as weakness by countries that do not share the same democratic values, such as China, Russia and Turkey.
“The EU must be more present in the emotional perception of the people. Not that we can congratulate ourselves by beating them super. Peace, regional co-operation and democracy in the Western Balkans are of strategic importance to the whole of Europe,” he said.
