Recently appointed German Ambassador in Belgrade Thomas Schieb told TV N1 the official Berlin has not changed its stance on a possible demarcation between Serbia and Kosovo.
He said Germany’s stance on the issue has been clear for some time and added that other European countries and Serbia’s neighbors have been expressing reservations about the idea of demarcation.
Asked about Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Armistice Day commemoration in Paris, the ambassador said it was a good, long meeting at Merkel’s initiative. “It was a general exchange of views on political and economic issues,” including the normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations, he said.
Schieb also said relations between Germany and Serbia did not deteriorate over Berlin’s opposition to demarcation as the way to solve the Kosovo problem. “I would say it’s not a secret that we have different views. That is the trait of a good partnership, having different stances and being able to discuss it, but that does not mean the partnership suffers and relations grow colder,” he said.
He rejected the possibility of a change of stance on demarcation. “The Chancellor has clearly stated her stance on several occasions. There was speculation about whether Germany will change its stance but no, Germany’s stance remains what it has been for some time,” Ambassador Schieb underlined.
He said Berlin was concerned about the possible implications in the region following a change of borders or exchange of territories. “That could contribute to a solution to the Kosovo problem, but it will open other problems in other parts of the region. We are very concerned that the drawing of new borders could upset the stability of the region if we draw new borders following all the conflicts in the region,” the ambassador said.
