The Franco-German Proposal to Normalise Relations between Serbia and Kosovo. A Historic Opportunity to Unblock the EU Accession Perspective for the Entire Western Balkans

Abstract

Serbia’s non-recognition of Kosovo is at the core of many problems in the region. Not only does it prevent progress towards EU accession, which both countries explicitly seek, it also hinders important regional economic cooperation and repeatedly destabilises the entire region. The Franco-German proposal is yet another attempt to normalize relations between the two countries. The proposal envisages a normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo along the lines of the historic Basic Treaty signed in 1972 between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This more active Western Balkans policy on the part of Berlin is also an expression of the “Zeitenwende” announced by Chancellor Scholz. Despite the support of all 27 EU members and the US, the normalisation process is proceeding very slowly, which shows the limited ability of the EU and the US to pressure the two counterparts.