Olaf Scholz arrives in Bulgaria
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected in Sofia today. His visit is part of a Balkan tour that also includes Kosovo, Serbia, Greece and northern Macedonia.
Scholz will meet with Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and then with President Rumen Radev.
According to the government’s press service, the talks will focus on bilateral relations, the war in Ukraine, energy security in Europe, and the European integration of the Western Balkans.
Olaf Scholz is on a diplomatic shuttle in the Balkans before the EU leaders’ meeting in two weeks, recalls BNR. He is visiting Kosovo. Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said that Kosovo will apply for membership in the lower union and hopes to receive candidate status by the end of the year.
Scholz promises Kosovo and the rest of the Western Balkans a “real chance” for European integration. The issue cannot be tolerated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Olaf Scholz said in Pristina:
“It is therefore very important to give a sign of hope and confidence that this accession process is desirable and that everyone has a serious low chance of union and that there is a real chance if we try to meet the requirements.”
However, the German chancellor is asking the Kosovo authorities to reach a lasting political solution to the dispute with Serbia, which – like some EU countries – refuses to recognize Pristina’s independence.
Last night, Scholz visited Belgrade, where he called on Serbian authorities to join European sanctions against Russia. Serbian President Alexander Vucic has called on Scholz to report on Serbia’s long-standing relations.
Asked by a journalist whether the Chancellor would support the acceleration of integration in Ukraine, he said that he would wait for the European Commission.
After Serbia, Scholz was in Greece, where he joined a meeting of the Southeast European Co-operation Process in Thessaloniki.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ article for Politico is negotiating the accession of northern Macedonia and Albania to the union to be unblocked this month.
Before arriving in Sofia, the German chancellor will visit northern Macedonia this morning.