In an interview with DW, Germany’s ambassador to Albania, Karl Bergner, emphasized that the independence of the judicial system and an unhindered fight against corruption, including at the highest levels, remain essential conditions for membership in the European Union.

Bergner explained that Albania and Germany coordinate their actions across many policy areas, particularly foreign policy and security. As European states and NATO allies, they share the same challenges arising from transformations in the international order and the risks posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Another important dimension is economic cooperation. Germany, Albania’s leading bilateral donor, aims to improve the quality of life of Albanian citizens through investment in infrastructure, including water and energy supplies, wastewater treatment and waste management, while also promoting sustainable economic development in urban and rural areas. At the same time, bilateral cooperation focuses on combating climate change by supporting the transition to a greener economy and helping the country adapt to increasingly extreme weather conditions.

German interest in Albania is growing, particularly as a tourist destination. At the same time, the Albanian community in Germany is becoming increasingly influential. Within it, a group of innovative and successful entrepreneurs is creating new ties between the two countries. These trends are strengthening people-to-people relations and giving momentum to economic and cultural cooperation.

Asked whether Berlin supports the aspirations of Albania and neighboring countries to integrate into the EU, and how realistic the goal of concluding negotiations by 2027 is, the ambassador replied that Albania and the Western Balkan countries are an inseparable part of the European family and that Germany strongly supports their membership.

He emphasized that Germany’s traditional position is that EU membership should be based on the merits of each candidate country; therefore, timelines depend on the speed and quality of reforms. In this context, Bergner sees Albania’s goal of concluding negotiations by the end of 2027 as an ambition he recognizes, but stresses that although the country has made significant progress, major tasks still lie ahead.

The ambassador added that Germany’s substantial technical and financial assistance, beyond improving the lives of Albanians, is also intended to facilitate the country’s path toward the EU. This assistance ranges from building wastewater treatment plants in several cities, in preparation for the environmental chapters, to supporting ministries in aligning legislation with European standards. Ultimately, however, what is decisive is Albania’s willingness to carry out these reforms, even when they are difficult or affect powerful economic interests.

One concrete example is the adoption of a single investment law, replacing the current law on strategic investments. Albania has committed, under its Reform Agenda, to completing this by the end of the year, and the European Parliament has recently reiterated the EU’s previous demands. According to the ambassador, this would be an important step toward ensuring transparency and equal conditions for all companies.

Achieving the objective of EU membership also depends on the ability of the public administration and the private sector to absorb European standards. The fact that Germany remains Albania’s largest bilateral donor demonstrates its commitment to accompanying the country on this journey.

Regarding the justice reform, which is entering a critical phase, Bergner stated that a strong rule of law, respect for fundamental rights and a pluralist democracy form the foundation of European values. He stressed that guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary and making unrelenting efforts to combat corruption, particularly in cases involving senior officials, are absolute prerequisites for Albania’s advancement in the integration process.

According to him, justice reform has been a key factor enabling Albania’s progress toward the EU. Going forward, the country has committed to further reforms in the rule-of-law field, which has been and remains Germany’s main focus in this process. Bergner expressed his conviction that Albania will continue and intensify its efforts to strengthen the rule of law, judicial independence and the fight against corruption and organized crime. He added that changing laws is not enough; both the EU and Albanian citizens expect concrete and measurable results in practice, as well as the development of the necessary capacities within the administration and independent institutions.

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KFOR, NATO’s mission in Kosovo, today began the step-by-step integration of Kosovo Police officers into its security architecture at the Deçan Monastery.

In a statement, the mission said the initiative is linked to the improvement of the security situation in Kosovo and is part of the process to optimize KFOR’s positioning.

KFOR clarified that the process will be carried out gradually and depending on conditions, while being closely coordinated with several stakeholders. These include representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Kosovo’s institutions, the Kosovo Police and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo.

The NATO mission emphasized that its commitment to protecting the Deçan Monastery and ensuring the security of all local communities remains unwavering.

According to KFOR, its troops have been deployed in positions that enable them to respond to any significant development, in accordance with the mandate established by the United Nations.

The mission also stressed that KFOR continues to be the first responder for the security of the Deçan Monastery.

KFOR announced that it will continue close coordination with representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Kosovo’s institutions, international organizations and the Serbian Armed Forces.

According to the mission, this cooperation aims to preserve transparency, a spirit of cooperation and mutual trust, as well as prevent misunderstandings.

The statement emphasized that it is important for all parties to engage constructively in dialogue and cooperation.

KFOR recalled that it continues to fulfill its mandate in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, helping to ensure a safe environment for all citizens of Kosovo and guaranteeing freedom of movement.

The mission said it carries out this task impartially and in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and EULEX, with each acting according to its designated role as a responder in the field of security.

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Jeton Zulfaj, Kosovo’s chief negotiator for talks with the European Union, stressed that the path to EU membership is a collective effort involving all institutions, although the main coordinating responsibility rests with the dedicated integration mechanisms.

In a social media post, he explained that the daily activity of integration officials remains largely invisible to the public and consists of exchanging hundreds of electronic messages, processing dozens of documents, as well as phone calls and meetings to internationalize the work between institutions.

Zulfaj said that during a meeting with these professionals, he expressed gratitude for their contribution and discussed the obstacles and potential that the European journey presents.

According to him, human resources simultaneously determine difficulties and opportunities. He sees as a challenge the fact that implementing reforms requires qualified teams covering each sector within the 33 negotiating chapters with the EU, which touch every dimension of existence.

He pointed out that real transformation comes precisely from continuous reforms, legislation, and secondary regulations harmonized with the EU acquis, which consolidate democracy, drive national progress, and raise the quality of life for citizens.

In conclusion, Zulfaj praised the dedication of the integration staff, noting that most of them are scholarship recipients for studies in disciplines directly related to the European agenda.

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In a written response, the spokesperson emphasized that the EU has consistently asked Serbia to encourage this process, while Kosovo should pave the way for the reintegration of Serbian justice employees, respecting the dialogue agreements and domestic legislation. Brussels also called on both sides to create the appropriate conditions for implementing obligations and to avoid actions that would further complicate the situation.

The mass abandonment of institutions by Serb representatives occurred at the end of November 2022, in reaction to the Kosovo government’s decision to ban the use of license plates issued by Serbia and to convert them to those of the Republic of Kosovo. During that period, in addition to police officers and municipal officials, nearly 130 judges, prosecutors, and administrative staff from the four northern municipalities—North Mitrovica, Leposavić, Zvečan, and Zubin Potok—also submitted their resignations.

The issue of unresolved resignations became topical again in mid-June, when acting President Albulena Haxhiu addressed the Judicial Council and the Prosecutorial Council of Kosovo, demanding the prompt finalization of the relevant procedures. She argued that delays in handling these cases are hindering the regular functioning of the justice system.

The Judicial Council confirmed to Radio Free Europe that it received the letter on June 19 and will review the matter in one of the upcoming sessions, acting within the competencies defined by the constitution and law. Meanwhile, the Prosecutorial Council did not provide any comment on the issue.

The initiative for the collective withdrawal of Serbs from Kosovo’s state structures came from the Serb List and was supported by officials in Belgrade. Those who resigned were provided with temporary contracts and continued to receive salaries from the Serbian budget. However, some of those who did not align with the Serb List lost both this income and the opportunity to return to their previous positions.

After a series of crises in the north, including the armed attack in Banjska against the Kosovo Police in 2023, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed support for the return of Serbs to the police ranks and to judicial bodies. The Serb List also, ahead of last year’s local elections, admitted that the abandonment of institutions had been a mistake.

On the other hand, the authorities in Pristina, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, have maintained that the return issue should not be treated as a political topic but as a strictly legal and constitutional process.

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