Bećirović: Macron and Merkel Aware of Responsibility for Peace in the Western Balkans

BERLIN, (Patria) - Leaders of the Western Balkan countries will gather today in Berlin for a summit hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The working dinner is expected to address open issues among the Western Balkan countries, with the greatest attention likely focused on relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Zvizdić stated that during the meeting he will seek to define border agreements between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, as well as the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

Director of the International Institute for Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) from Ljubljana, Zijad Bećirović, told the Patria agency that France and Germany are aware of the fact that elections within European institutions will soon take place, and that these institutions will begin working at full capacity only at the beginning of next year. For this reason, Bećirović believes, Merkel and Macron convened today's meeting with Western Balkan leaders in Berlin.

"France and Germany have a responsibility towards the situation in the region, because without stability and peace in the Western Balkans, there is no stability within the European Union itself, which is shaken by internal problems, as well as by the migrant crisis that has burdened the European Union in recent years, along with relations within the Union itself," said Bećirović. He added that the leaders of the Western Balkan countries were invited to Berlin so that everyone could follow the agreement to be reached between official Belgrade and official Pristina, emphasizing that this agreement will certainly not be a demarcation or exchange of territories between the two countries.

"Territorial exchange is out of the question even in much more stable situations, and especially now when peace has been disrupted both in the Western Balkans and in Europe as a continent," said Bećirović.

Belgrade and Pristina are discussing the possibility of exchanging territories between the two countries along ethnic lines, while major Western powers oppose this, believing it would trigger similar demands in other parts of the Western Balkans, primarily in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bećirović notes that relations between Belgrade and Pristina create tension not only between the two countries but also in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, as he said, "can be seen from the fascist, xenophobic statements of Milorad Dodik, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

"The statement that one people must live in one state, referring to the Serbs, are outdated ideas. They were largely the cause of the war in Bosnia in the 1990s. No people can live in only one state," said Bećirović.

He recalled a recent study showing that only 20 countries in the world are considered mono-ethnic states, while all others are multi-ethnic.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina is a very complex country in many aspects, but if there is good will and the right leaders, Bosnia and Herzegovina can become one of the most successful countries," said Bećirović, citing the example of the United States of America, which not only functions in its diversity but is the leading country in the world.

"Or, the example of North Macedonia, where more ethnic communities live than in Bosnia and Herzegovina itself, but under the leadership of Zoran Zaev, that country has moved forward and become a leader in Euro-Atlantic integration in the entire region," said Bećirović.

He added that peace and stability certainly cannot be achieved in the way Milorad Dodik does, who, Bećirović said, invites investors to invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while on the other hand doing everything to ensure investors do not have a favorable environment for investment.

"Even to get to Pope Francis, Dodik used political-criminal ties with elements of corruption," said Bećirović.

Meeting with the German Chancellor and French President in Berlin will be Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Zvizdić, Prime Minister of North Macedonia Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci, as well as the Prime Ministers of Kosovo and Serbia Ramush Haradinaj and Ana Brnabić, President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović, Prime Ministers of Croatia and Slovenia Andrej Plenković and Marjan Šarec, as well as President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci announced that he will seek recognition of Kosovo from Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Vučić, before leaving for Berlin, emphasized that Serbia's position is not easy and that he "will be alone in Berlin."