Baerbock: Preserving security and respecting territorial integrity crucial for the region's path to the EU

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock emphasized today in Tirana that preserving security was crucial for the progress of the Western Balkans region on its path to Europe, and she stressed that those who wished to join the EU must respect territorial integrity and understand that security was a shared concern.

Upon arriving at the meeting of foreign ministers as part of the Berlin Process, Baerbock highlighted the importance of holding the conference in the Western Balkans, specifically in Tirana.

"The Berlin Process conference takes place in the Western Balkans. The Western Balkans is a part of Europe. We feel this especially among the young people who, if Europe does not reach out to them, will find their way to Europe with catastrophic consequences for the demographics of their countries. Therefore, the intention of the EU and the German government is to accelerate the integration of the Western Balkans," she emphasized.

Baerbock pointed out that many reforms had been implemented in recent years in that regard and that Germany wanted to support those efforts.

"Unfortunately, recently we have seen that security issues and tensions, which we thought were overcome, have returned to the agenda. The horrific attack on the Kosovo police is one example, as is the reinforcement of troops on the Serbian border. That is why the Berlin Process and the direct appeal that one can only move toward the EU together, respecting territorial integrity and understanding that security is a common issue. That is why, on the margins of this meeting, I will hold discussions about security in the region," Baerbock emphasized.

She pointed out that Berlin's envoy, Manuel Sarrazin, had recently held talks with Kosovo and Serbia on that matter because security and peace were the foundation of the European process.

"Security is important for progress on the European path, and we have seen how quickly tensions, which we hoped were overcome, can flare up again. That is why we, as NATO member states, have decided to further strengthen our presence in Kosovo," she added.

Baerbock said she had traveled to Tirana to discuss security in the region and, above all, mobility with her colleagues from the Western Balkans.

"In the EU, we have decided to accelerate the integration of the Western Balkans. There was legitimate frustration among young people whose hopes of moving to the EU were hindered. A year and a half ago, the German Government decided to provide answers to daily questions through the Berlin Process. That is why agreements on the mobility of citizens in the region are essential. When people live in a region where qualifications and diplomas are not mutually recognized, it is difficult to work and live in another country. Some may consider the recognition of qualifications and diplomas trivial, but it enables free exchange in the region," Baerbock explained.