Wadephul: Scholz’s amateur statement in Belgrade

The deputy leader of Germany’s largest opposition party, the CDU / CSU, Johann David Wadephul, has criticized the itinerary and statements of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ten days ago in the Balkans. During a speech in the Bundestag on the occasion of a debate on the Western Balkans, Wadephul called the trip a failure, which according to him seemed from the stops: “Once in Pristina and then in Belgrade. From there, it seemed that the trip was extremely problematic. “

Wadephul called the statement of the German Social Democrat Chancellor during his visit to Belgrade (June 12) about the necessity of Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo, as a precondition for its entry into the EU, amateurish. “This is desirable and everyone knows this, but recognition must come at the end of a process, and now this statement made in public in such an amateurish way burdens the whole process, which has become difficult for Serbia.” .

Scholz and Vucic in Belgrade

Unlike German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who at press conferences was lively and had direct expectations, and usually gave statements behind closed doors, current Chancellor Olaf Scholz surprised the public in Serbia with his demand for the recognition of Kosovo. Putting Kosovo at the center, and not at the end of the process of normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is one of the main requirements of Kosovo for dialogue.

The German government should take into account the conditions for Albania

At the Bundestag debate on the Western Balkans, Wadephul spoke on behalf of his parliamentary group and presented the group’s motion for Germany’s commitment to bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU. The motion demands, among other things, that the German government engage with all forces and with concrete steps for the opening of negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia, for the recognition of Kosovo and its membership in various organizations, for the liberalization of the visa regime with citizens. of Kosovo.

Angela Merkel in Belgrade in September 2021, The former German chancellor was pragmatic and resolved words with difficult partners.

Wadephul did not forget to recall the conditions that the Bundestag has set for Albania for the start of negotiations with the EU. “I expect the German government to take into account especially the decisions taken by the Bundestag for Albania and Northern Macedonia, and not to make expedited procedures,” said Wadephul.

In a resolution adopted by the Bundestag in October 2019, German parliamentarians gave the green light to the German government to open negotiations with Albania and northern Macedonia, but the CDU / CSU parliamentary group, which included then-Chancellor Angela Merkel, appointed the government. German nine additional conditions for Albania, before it decided to start negotiations. The Bundestag decision is not binding on the German government.

The Bundestag is considering extending KFOR’s mandate

The German Parliament debated today the continuation of German participation in the KFOR mission in Kosovo. The mandate stipulates that up to 400 German soldiers be sent to Kosovo. The relevant request of the German government, after one in the debate of about 40 minutes, was passed for consideration to the relevant committees. The German KFOR contingent remains the same as before, but Germany is increasing its military presence in the Western Balkans by participating in the EUFOR / Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The German Bundestag is expected to address the motion this week.

The KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo has been engaged since 1999 under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. On June 11, 1999, the German Bundestag decided for the first time the German participation in the KFOR Force in Kosovo. Currently the number of German soldiers stationed is around 70. The continuation of the mission is expected to cost German citizens seven million euros. It is expected that the extension of the mandate will be approved by a large majority of votes from both the three ruling parties, as well as from the position./DW

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