Today the EU and the Western Balkan countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo meet in the Albanian capital Tirana to discuss the prospect of European membership. The summit follows a previous summit held in Berlin this year.
According to German correspondent Derk Marseille, the summit is about “managing expectations”, because many countries have been sitting in the waiting room for so long. Some countries are disappointed because, in their view, they are staying in that waiting room for improper reasons. Germany has now let them know that they belong, that Europe needs them as allies against Russia and China, Marseille says.
Russia and China
Over the past decade, the influence of China and Russia in the region has increased significantly. Russia has traditionally been a good friend of Serbia, China has invested heavily in the infrastructure of the Balkans as part of the New Silk Road, the ten-lane trade route from China to Europe. The EU wants to counter this influence, but then it will have to step up and offer the participating countries the perspective of participation.
Illustrative of how Germany is in the game. In the context of possible EU participation, 500 Albanian judges had to take a corruption test, 300 of which refused. Germany wants to show leniency in this regard. Bearing in mind the German adage ‘Wandel durch Handel’, something which, according to Marseilles, is applied by the Germans ‘when it suits them’.
An important element in this process of mutual rapprochement are the historical, political and cultural sensitivities between the states and peoples of the Balkans. A good example is the spat between Serbia and Kosovo, which has a Serb minority. Kosovo wanted to fine Kosovo Serb citizens who still drove cars with Serbian registration plates. This almost led to a rift between the two neighboring countries.
A purely technocratic approach will not be enough, says Marseille. And that is why German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the region last week. ‘someone with authority who wants to radiate that it’s about European sentiment. That squabble over the number plates seems trivial to us, but it’s very important to them».
Yet in the end it is obviously just a calculation and every Balkan country is just waiting for the funds to flow in that direction from Brussels. And every Balkan country sees Germany as the pioneer of this.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
