German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Kosovo and Serbia to intensify their dialogue aimed at normalising relations, reaffirming Germany’s strong support for the EU-facilitated process.
“It is time for both countries to fully implement the commitments they have made,” Merz said during the Berlin Process Summit held in London. He acknowledged that there has been a lack of visible progress in the dialogue over the past year.
“I would like the Federal Government to be directly involved in this process. I have also said this personally,” Merz added, stressing that “we will continue our discussions” to advance the normalisation efforts.
The German Chancellor welcomed the joint declaration on reconciliation and good neighbourly relations adopted by the parties, saying that it should now start being implemented in practice.
The Berlin Process Summit brought together leaders from the Western Balkans and the European Union. Since its establishment, the summit has been held 11 times — four in Berlin, and once each in London, Vienna, Paris, Trieste, Poznań, Sofia, and Tirana.
Kosovo was represented by its acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who said that Kosovo’s achievements remain “overshadowed by ongoing threats and aggression from Serbia.”
Kurti recalled the 2023 Banjska attack against Kosovo Police in Zvečan, stressing that “the hostile neighbour in the north must not be allowed to act with impunity.” He reiterated that Milan Radoičić, the former deputy head of the Serbian List, had claimed responsibility for the assault but has yet to face justice.
The international community has repeatedly called for those responsible for the Banjska attack to be held accountable, while Kosovo’s judiciary continues proceedings against several of the accused.
