From the rule of law to Kosovo and Metohija: Merkel's messages resonate a day after her visit

According to analysts, the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel is one of the most important events in our country, and the fact that she chose the week before the elections in Germany is an indicator of how important this region is to them as well.

From domestic politics, the inevitable question of Kosovo and Metohija; from economic topics and dual education to the European path, numerous topics were on the table in front of Merkel and Vucic.

Some of them resonated in public, some, experts say, are yet to be discussed, and the messages conveyed by the German chancellor are yet to be analyzed.

The issue of Kosovo and Metohija and Serbia's European path

The Kosovo knot is certainly an inevitable topic. The position of Germany on this issue is known, as is the position of Belgrade.

When a German journalist reminded Chancellor Merkel that 10 years ago when she was in Belgrade the issue of Serbia having to recognize Kosovo if it wants to join the EU was also on the agenda, asking whether that is an inevitable condition, she stressed that some issues will be resolved at the end of the process.

She recalled that not all EU members have recognized Kosovo, but that this is an issue that must be resolved in order for Serbia to get the consent of all members for joining the bloc.

"There is no sense in talking about the end of the process before solving other problems. This issue will not disappear, it must be resolved. But I am in favor of a road map where all other issues are resolved first. I hope that we will have new progress in the process around Kosovo as well," she said.

She said that Germany, based on its history, knows very well that it takes time to resolve such issues, and recalled how long the unification of Germany lasted before an agreement was reached.

On the other hand, Vucic clearly said that it is known there will be no accession to the EU without recognizing Kosovo.

"We are not hiding that from our public. And tonight, when everyone is following this, I will not deny that knowledge of ours with a single word. That is why we are conducting the dialogue in a serious way. Serbia is ready to discuss all compromise solutions, to discuss relations, and before that to agree to have a free flow of goods, services, money and people, to bring people closer, because then it will be easier to find a solution," he added.

"If the question is whether we are aware that we will not enter the EU before resolving the Kosovo issue - it is absolutely clear," he said.

The rule of law

The German chancellor touched on an issue that is one of the main topics among European officials, and that is the rule of law.

Her message, although she did not say it directly, refers to the problems with the rule of law.

"We spoke about reforms, about opening of new chapters in the accession process. It is precisely in the area of the legal system that it's important to make progress. The president presented his plans and made promises," Merkel said.

Lithium excavation

That the story about a lithium mine in Serbia has been heard far and wide was confirmed Merkel herself, who said that if any lithium excavation is done in Serbia, "everything must be done in accordance with the highest standards, while protecting the environment."

"If the whole world is interested in that, Germany is also interested," Merkel said.

Translation: Germany also has an interest, Blic writes. Especially since, as Merkel herself stated, there is a large number of German investments in Serbia in the field of the automotive industry, while lithium is important for future mobility and battery manufacturing.

"Serbia has something that is really valuable. Of course, there are concerns about whether the exploitation will be carried out in accordance with environmental standards. The EU has good sustainability standards. It is not just a question of German interests, it is an issue that EU member states will deal with, because protecting the environment in Europe is a really important issue," Merkel said.

(Telegraf.rs)