Maliqi: Merz does not want destabilization in southern Europe, he wants regional stability

Political analyst Shkelzen Maliqi stated that the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not want renewed destabilization in the Western Balkans, that he is interested in the stability of this part of Europe, and that the abolition of the special envoy position will not affect that.

“Germany cannot be indifferent because it has heavily invested in the Serbian economy. That will likely continue, but Germany is also interested in ensuring the security and stability of the region. I believe the new chancellor would not want to allow the Western Balkans to once again become a source of destabilization for the southern flank of Europe and NATO,” Maliqi said.

He explained that, due to the war in Ukraine and other global hotspots, the world has found itself in a “complex geopolitical situation.”

“But the global crisis is more likely to push Europe toward unity in defending both Ukraine and Western values,” Maliqi added.

As proof of this, he pointed out that even the new US President Donald Trump, after his initial “offensive,” began to ease his demands toward the rest of the world, and the first results are visible in negotiations with China.

“Germany will be next. They will likely try to get the most out of those negotiations, to improve the situation somewhat, but for a long time now, under previous US administrations, both Obama and Biden, there has been a push for Europe to invest more in its own defense and not rely solely on the US military,” Maliqi noted.

When asked how this could affect Kosovo, the analyst was unequivocal in saying that Kosovo will remain a strategic interest of the United States.

“Kosovo remains a strategic interest for the Americans. Even if relations with the EU cool down, they will retain Bondsteel. They are also building a NATO center in Albania, not as significant, but they have an air base that can complement Aviano. Even with US military drawdowns, they won’t cut spending here, because this region allows them to maintain control over Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and of course, the Balkans,” Maliqi emphasized.

He believes that, despite the new German administration abolishing the special envoy for the Western Balkans, a replacement for Manuel Sarrazin should be expected.

“A replacement is likely. The British have just appointed their own envoy. So this will continue. A change in government always leads to changes in envoys, but it also depends on what the EU’s strategy from Brussels will be regarding the dialogue on normalization of relations,” Maliqi concluded.