Any new agreement between Belgrade and Pristina that would be reached in May could have a positive, but not decisive effect on the decision of EU member states on the opening of the first chapter in the negotiations, said interviewees of Danas close to the government, but also the European institutions.
According to them, it is completely unknown what exactly is expected of Belgrade. As we were told, it is not disputed that there is a willingness of the EU to open its first chapter this year, but whether this will happen in June, September or December depends on Belgrade. The final political decision will be made by Germany, which is the ‘spokesperson’ for the countries opting for delaying of the enlargement. Germany also has taken over the role of “fixing the situation” in the Western Balkans, particularly in relations between Belgrade and Pristina, said our sources.
Interviewees Maja Kovacevic, Associate professor of the Faculty of Political Science, and Nemanja Todorovic Štiplija, editor in chief of the portal European Western Balkans, believe that the general public does not know the conditions that are set before the Belgrade.
Maja Kovacevic, who is also a former director of the Office for joining the EU, says that it is difficult to assess whether opening of the chapters in June is possible. “The assessment is difficult because the process of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina was secretive, and the text of the Brussels agreement is relatively poor. It was agreed to progress, but we do not know what this means in practice and what are the expectations of the EU. The Brussels agreement is political and therefore conditions will be added during its implementation. It should be noted that the EU does not consider that as new conditions but as agreed,” said Kovacevic. She added that situation with the new conditions will last for years, because the chapter 35 is only opening and will remain open till the end of negotiations. After it new conditions will appear, because they will derive from the reached agreements.
Nemanja Todorovic Štuplija said that Belgrade and Pristina have opposing positions about the implementation of the Brussels Agreement, and that the EU and Germany have their own positions. “States that have previously entered the EU had clear conditions. Now, Serbia must fulfil the Brussels Agreement. The decision will depend on Germany,” he said.
