Further progress in dialogue is the only way forward for Kosovo and Serbia towards the European Union, says the German ambassador, Jorn Rohde. It emphasizes that only countries that recognize each other can join the EU.

In the interview for KosovaPress, Rohde talks about the recent conclusions of the EU Council on the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority, while underlining that full compliance with all agreements made is in the true interest of both countries, Kosovo and Serbia.

"In the past, the dialogue brought substantial results. Since 2011, more than 30 agreements have been reached within the EU-facilitated dialogue and many of them have also been implemented. Further progress in dialogue is the only way forward towards the future path of Kosovo and Serbia towards the European Union. This was also made clear by the European Council at its meeting on December 17, 2024, by the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the new enlargement commissioner Marta Kos and the new high representative, Kaja Kallas ", he says.

The Government of Kosovo has not sent the draft association statute drawn up by the EU to the Constitutional Court. However, the German ambassador in Kosovo says that the draft statute should be forwarded to the Constitutional Court as soon as possible.

"The draft statute is a document approved by the entire EU-27 to implement the Ohrid Agreement and continue with the Normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia. We recall the recent conclusions of the Council of the EU: the draft must be forwarded to the Constitutional Court without further delay."

Serbia is not fulfilling its obligations in the dialogue, while it has approved two draft laws that violate the sovereignty of Kosovo. The draft law on judicial jurisdiction in Kosovo and the other on declaring Kosovo a "special social protection area", are the two draft laws for which Germany has declared that they clearly violate Serbia's obligations from the dialogue with Kosovo in Brussels.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany has publicly made it clear that Serbia is clearly violating its obligations in the dialogue. In general, neither Kosovo nor Serbia are fully respecting their respective dialogue agreements, thus hindering their further path towards the European Union. Full compliance with all agreements made is in the true interest of both countries."

It indicates when Kosovo's request for candidate status for EU membership is expected to be reviewed.

"It is up to the member states of the European Union to invite the EU Commission to further process Kosovo's membership request. In this regard, substantial progress in the EU-facilitated Normalization Dialogue is crucial to convince those non-recognizing member states that are still hesitant. As I underlined in a previous interview: Until we see progress, Kosovo's application for membership unfortunately remains 'frozen in the inbox'. Chancellor Scholz made it clear during his visit to Pristina and Belgrade in 2022: In the long term, only countries that know each other can join the European Union", the German ambassador emphasizes.

As for the security situation in the country, Ambassador Rohde says it has the potential to escalate.

After the terrorist attack in Ibër-Lepenc, Kosovo institutions warned that there is a risk of repetition of such acts.

According to the German ambassador, only political solutions guarantee a stable and safe environment in the country.

"I share the assessment of the KFOR commander that the security situation in Kosovo is fragile with the potential to escalate. Germany has shown its willingness to contribute to guaranteeing a safe and secure environment in the country by quadrupling the German KFOR contingent earlier this year. However, ultimately only political solutions will guarantee a sustainable safe and stable environment. We need substantial progress in the EU-mediated dialogue."