Schieb: The catalogue of obligations is clear

Tomas Šib, Iza vesti
N1

German Ambassador to Belgrade Thomas Schieb said Monday that the European Union is not giving any “artificial dates” for membership because “that would not bring any benefits”, but that the catalogue of obligations that EU candidate countries need to meet is clear.

Speaking in N1’s show Behind the News the Ambassador said it was good that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the region and Belgrade, bringing messages, of which the most important one is that the Western Balkans are in their hearts and Berlin’s priority. The Chancellor’s main message is that we want the Western Balkans and Serbia to become part of the EU when Serbia is ready for it and when it meets certain conditions, said Schieb.

He explained that Scholz did not bring Serbia any new requirements, and that normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is currently important. It is difficult to imagine countries that have not recognized each other joining the EU, said Schieb adding that the issue of recognition will be raised at some point but that, as Scholz said, small steps and successes are now needed so the normalization process could advance.

Addressing the issue of sanctions against Russia, Schieb said that Serbia wants to become an EU member, that the EU has decided to impose sanctions in an effort to stop the war, and that membership candidates are expected to join the sanctions.

Schieb described Scholz’s visit as successful and said that he brought certain messages, formulated offers and signaled that they were willing to intensify cooperation in the field of energy, climate… The visit cannot be a major breakthrough, but it is an important signal, said Schieb.

The Ambassador said that the Berlin Process is not a substitute for membership with the EU for the countries in the region but an initiative that is to facilitate their path to the EU by enabling their better economic integration.

Reconciliation is also an important element of the Berlin Process that will accelerate and facilitate the accession process, the Process is support to get into the EU faster, said Schieb.

We are here to support Serbia with all our strength, and in the end everything will depend on political will, on the membership candidate’s reform will, said Schieb who is nearing the end of his term in office in Belgrade.

I am leaving the country with very positive impressions, Ambassador Schieb told N1.