Further progress in dialogue is the only way forward for Kosovo and Serbia towards the European Union, says the German ambassador, Jorn Rohde. He emphasizes that only countries that recognize each other can join the EU.

In an interview, Rohde talks about the recent conclusions of the EU Council on the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority, while underlining that full compliance with all the agreements made is in the true interest of both countries, Kosovo and Serbia.

“In the past, the dialogue brought substantial results. Further progress in dialogue is the only way forward towards the future path of Kosovo and Serbia towards the European Union. This was also made clear by the European Council at its meeting on December 17, 2024, by the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the new enlargement commissioner Marta Kos and the new high representative, Kaja Kallas “, he says.

The Government of Kosovo has not sent the draft association statute drawn up by the EU to the Constitutional Court. However, the German ambassador in Kosovo says that the draft statute should be forwarded to the Constitutional Court as soon as possible.

Rohde indicates when Kosovo’s request for EU membership candidate status is expected to be reviewed.

“It is up to the member states of the European Union to invite the EU Commission to further process Kosovo’s membership request. In this regard, substantial progress in the EU-facilitated Normalization Dialogue is crucial to convince those non-recognizing member states that are still hesitant.

Chancellor Scholz made it clear during his visit to Pristina and Belgrade in 2022: In the long term, only countries that know each other can join the European Union”, the German ambassador emphasizes.

According to the German ambassador, only political solutions guarantee a stable and safe environment in the country.