Saturday, May 30th 2015
German Ambassador in Belgrade Heinz Wilhelm stated on Friday that Germany wishes Serbia’s negotiating chapters to open as soon as possible.
Belgrade – He added that the Kosovo issue needs to be resolved.
From the German perspective, the prerequisite for opening the chapters is embodied in the opening of Chapter 35 on the Kosovo issue as the first step, and the condition for opening this chapter is full implementation of the Brussels agreement, Wilhelm told the Belgrade-based Television Pink.
The German ambassador noted that the constitution of the community of Serb municipalities is another matter that has not been completed yet, and added that the talks on the matter are being conducted with difficulties. He noted that after the opening of Chapter 35, Chapters 23 and 24 could open as well.
Asked to explain the exact meaning of the phrase “normalization of relations with Kosovo,” Wilhelm said that the normalization “does not mean recognition, but establishment of good neighborly relations.”
Asked about the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Serbia, Wilhelm confirmed that the preparations for the visit are underway although the date has not been specified yet, adding that he believes Merkel will meet with Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.
He also assessed that the visit of Germany’s minster for economic cooperation and development, Gerhard Miller, went well and was important, adding that Germany was the biggest bilateral donor to help Serbia reach the EU as soon as possible.
The diplomat reminded that 370 companies with German capital are active in Serbia and more big companies are ready to invest, while trade between the two countries reached EUR 3.2 billion last year, “with room to further increase the cooperation.”