Former German Minister for Europe Michael Roth said that the confidence of the Western Balkan countries in the EU should be increased and that this should be done by liberalizing visas for Kosovo and opening membership negotiations for Albania and Northern Macedonia.
“The states of the Western Balkans must not feel left behind. Russia is also destabilizing in this region. The EU must finally keep its promises. Accession talks with Albania + North Macedonia are to be started + visa liberalization for Kosovo to be granted” he tweeted.
Die Staaten des Westbalkans dürfen sich nicht abgehängt fühlen. Auch in dieser Region destabilisiert Russland. Die EU muss endlich ihre Zusagen einhalten. Beitrittsgespräche mit Albanien + Nordmazedonien sind aufzunehmen + die Visaliberalisierung für Kosovo zu gewähren. 4/6??
— Michael Roth MdB ???? (@MiRo_SPD) April 23, 2022
He also said that Ukraine also needs hope and trust from the EU, saying that Eastern Europe is not an annex, but belongs to Europe.
Roth, who is currently chairing the Foreign Affairs Committee, has repeatedly spoken about Kosovo’s interests as a minister, while frequently mentioning the issue of visa liberalization in his speeches.
