GERMANY 2021
INTERVIEW
H.E. THOMAS SCHIEB, AMBASSADOR OF GERMANY TO SERBIA
CONTINUITY IS
A GERMAN TRADEMARK
There is no doubt that the Western Balkans and EU enlargement will remain high on Germany’s agenda. Whoever becomes the next Chancellor will certainly have a significant interest in democratic, prosperous and stable Western Balkan countries that are part of the European family and will be part of the EU as soon as possible ~ Thomas Schieb deliver on reforms, the EU will also deliver,” says Schieb in this interview.
A
ngela Merkel’s stepping down from the political scene was followed closely in Serbia and the other countries of the Western Balkans, with attention that reflected the common belief that this German Chancellor has had a decisive influence on the policy pursued in this 10
Your Excellency, departing German Chancellor Angela Merkel has chosen the Western Balkans as the last region that she will visit prior to concluding her professional career. What kinds of messages do you think should be drawn from that fact? To start with, I’d like to say how grateful we were for the very warm welcome Chancellor Merkel received in Belgrade. With her trip to Belgrade and Tirana, Chancellor Merkel once again underlined the great significance that the German government attaches to Serbia, the region as a whole and its EU integration. In Belgrade, she had excellent talks with the President about all relevant issues. Chancellor Merkel also exchanged views with civil society representatives from all Western Balkan countries. She then met all six heads of government in Tirana. She underlined the great importance that the Berlin Process, launched by Germany in 2014, continues to bear fruit. Serbia and the region will remain high on our agenda. region by the European Union. With assurances that Germany will remain committed to the EU enlargement process, regardless of who becomes the new chancellor, German Ambassador Thomas Schieb insists that “the speed of enlargement remains in the hands of the respective countries. When you
To what extent will Chancellor Merkel’s final visit to Serbia and the messages she gave be binding for her successor? Do you expect new developments in German relations with Belgrade? A trademark of German foreign policy is continuity. There is no doubt that the
