Ahmeti from Berlin: Geopolitical uncertainty is facilitating the spread of Russian and Chinese influence in the Balkans

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Kreshnik Ahmeti was in Berlin on Wednesday, where he took part in the panel “The Western Balkans at a Crossroads: Geopolitics and Security,” organized by the Aspen Institute.

The panel discussed geopolitical and security developments in the region, EU enlargement, the Berlin Process, as well as the influence of external actors.

According to the statement, Ahmeti assessed that security challenges in the region are presenting themselves in two directions: through the interference of external actors and through problems stemming from within the region itself. In this context, he mentioned geopolitical ambiguity, which is enabling the expansion of Russian and Chinese influence in the Balkans and, through it, in Europe as well.

The deputy foreign minister stressed that, “internally, stability is threatened by revisionist approaches, challenges to sovereignty, and the lack of accountability for acts of violence and aggression.”

“He also stressed that minority rights in the region must be protected according to the same European standards, without being used for political purposes,” the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora said.

Finally, regarding the enlargement process, Ahmeti said that EU integration constitutes a strategic instrument for peace and security, supporting the gradual integration of the region into EU policies and mechanisms, linked to reforms and alignment with the foreign and security policy of the European Union.

Earlier in the day, Ahmeti held a meeting with the Director-General for Europe at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, Christoph Israng, as well as with Bundestag members Peter Beyer and Boris Mijatovic, members of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora’s media statement, the meeting with Israng focused on bilateral relations, current political developments, and advancing cooperation between Kosovo and Germany, with particular emphasis on organizing the first political consultations between the two countries.

In separate meetings with MPs Beyer and Mijatovic, Deputy Minister Ahmeti expressed gratitude for Germany’s continued support for Kosovo and underlined the country’s commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation.

As stated in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora’s announcement, the interlocutors exchanged views on EU enlargement, political and security developments in the region and in Europe, as well as the importance of supporting the Euro-Atlantic agenda and Kosovo’s membership in international organizations.