EU’s Hahn says Belgrade and Pristina dialogue can resume by end of 2019

Hahn told N1 in Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, he recommended presidents Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia and Hashim Thaci of Kosovo to deal together with all relevant economic issues and that he was ready to mediate the talks in line with his proposal.

The Commissioner added the dialogue mediated by the EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini could continue and that it existed and was visible.

Hahn said that significant steps were made in the Balkans in the last years due to joint efforts.

“We are close to the Greek Parliament decision to accept the deal on Macedonia’s new name. I assume it will be solved and that’s a giant success which I have put lots of effort in since 2015,” Hahn said.

He added Albania was also improving, and that the relations between Kosovo and Serbia were developing.

“There were events in the past when both would grab arms, while today the presidents of those countries grab phones and call each other. There are, of course, steps backwards from both sides but we must not allow being discouraged,” the Commissioner warned.

He added Kosovo’s decision to introduce the 100 percent import tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia was “such step backwards, and now a solution must be found.”

After meetings with both Vucic and Thaci, Hahn said they understood his suggestion, and after detailing it to them, he added he expected an answer in the next several days.

“They both realise they have to sit down and get rid of those ‘economic irritations’ so that the dialogue can resume. Serbia and that is understandable, says that if that problem is not solved, no further talks are possible. Kosovo also has objections, and I intend to address them all,” Hahn told N1.

 "I'm convinced we can deal with the problem and I assume the Belgrade - Pristina dialogue can continue till the end of the year."

Asked about what the EU could offer to countries which aspired to join the bloc, Hahn said his bottom line was the neighbouring policy.

“That applies to the Balkans’ candidate countries too – whether the EU will export stability outside the bloc, or will it import the instability into the EU,” Hahn said.

He added that the doors to the EU were not closed, but that the speed in joining the bloc depended on each state. Hahn reiterated the EU stand that countries could become members if they first resolved all bilateral issues.

The Commissioner fell short of saying which of the candidate country was most likely to enter the EU first. He mentioned Montenegro and Serbia as those who had opened or were opening new negotiating chapters but said it did not necessarily mean they would be the first to cross the finish line.

“Every country is responsible for their steps and at what speed are they taking them. There is no speed limit, but the reforms must be sustainable, especially in fighting corruption, the rule of law and the economic development,” Hahn said, adding the process is time-consuming.

“Some (countries) are faster, some slower.”