Former Serbian Ambassador to Germany Ivo Viskovic said that conditions for Serbia’s EU integration will remain, but it is favourable that Germany, at the end, gave up the additional amendments, which supposed to be included in Chapter 35 on Kosovo. “That’s a good sign, one intentional concession, presented to the government by Ernst Reichel who is responsible for South Eastern Europe and Turkey in the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said Viskovic.
Chapter 35 that relates to Kosovo will certainly be a topic till the very end of the negotiations with the EU. There are also ideas that will be problematic to Serbia, like it is a recent statement of the British MP Karen Lumley, who stated that Serbia is expected to ultimately recognize Kosovo.
Viskovic emphasizes that this is not the position of the others, adding that the German position on this point was interpreted in a way that Serbia is not expected to officially recognize Kosovo, but to find a “modus vivendi” similar to the example of two Germanys reached in the 70s. “So, without formal recognition, but without mutual stumbling, supporting all ideas that lead to normalization of relations, normal life of people and the possibility to cooperate in cultural, economic and any plan without problems,” said Viskovic.
