Germany is often referred to as the engine of Europe and one of the world's most stable and strongest economies. Nevertheless, even such economies are not immune to global changes that are reshaping power relations, supply chains, and energy security.
The energy crisis, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and geopolitical tensions have shown that economic strength is no longer measured solely by industrial production and exports, but also by the ability to secure stable and resilient energy supplies.
We discussed all these topics with the German Ambassador to Serbia, Anke Konrad. The ambassador spoke to us about how Berlin views the new realities in the energy sector, the role of the Western Balkans in Europe’s energy landscape, and the dynamics of EU enlargement.
Is energy security today primarily a geopolitical issue, and how does Germany view the current global energy situation?
"Insufficient energy supply and security are, in fact, issues that concern everyone. It starts with private consumers, continues through companies, and extends to major data centres - all of them require energy, because energy is the driving force behind every economy. So yes, the geopolitical situation may be one of the causes, but it is not the only one.
However, it is not only European countries that are looking for ways to respond to these new challenges. The European Union is also highly active in this area, and together we are seeking solutions to avoid more severe consequences. Some issues we can solve ourselves, while others, naturally, also require an improvement in the situation in the Middle East. But I would like to stress that the problems related to energy security began earlier, with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. I believe that was the first major shock we experienced after a long period of stability.
We are aware that, ultimately, we must become more resilient in order to cope with such geopolitical upheavals, and there are several different ways to achieve this."
How important is the diversification of supply sources within the EU, and where do you see the Western Balkans in that strategy?
"To respond to the current situation, we must address the question of energy sources - not only in terms of where energy comes from and which countries we rely on for supply, but also how to diversify supply chains and avoid excessive dependence on particular delivery routes. It is also important to increase the share of renewable energy sources and alternatives capable of replacing fossil fuels, because we must look at the bigger picture. It is not enough merely to know where our energy comes from; we must also ensure that a larger share of it originates from sources that are less dependent on geopolitical developments.
Of course, the next important issue is the way energy is distributed across Europe. We are working on this together with the countries of the Western Balkans in order to expand energy corridors, some of which pass through the region itself. The aim is for countries to be able to assist one another when it comes to energy, electricity, and other related matters. In this sense, the Western Balkans can play an important role. We want greater resilience not only to geopolitical shocks, but also to situations such as supply interruptions caused by accidents or technical failures, so that stable energy supplies can be maintained in every country."
How do you view the EU enlargement policy regarding the Western Balkans - has it gained new momentum?
"I believe that momentum does exist.
This is not merely a question of enlargement policy. Of course, it is a process. It is not something where you simply fill in an application form and someone then makes a decision.
It is a lengthy process, a difficult process. It requires not only changes to legislation, but also the practical implementation of those laws. It is also about societies adapting to these processes. The momentum is there, and I believe that the Growth Plan launched by the EU a few years ago created additional incentives for carrying out the necessary reforms.
The question is always how countries respond to that momentum, and unfortunately we do see differences. We see some countries making genuine progress - Montenegro, for example, where the EU has decided to begin drafting the accession treaty - while others are still not at that stage.
As far as Germany is concerned, we are here, particularly through our development cooperation, to support precisely these complex steps, which very often require structural reforms.
So we are here to provide support."
What concrete benefits are citizens of the Western Balkans already receiving from the EU?
"Visa liberalisation is, of course, something every citizen can directly feel. When it comes to students, there is Erasmus+, which offers students and young researchers opportunities for exchange programmes, studying abroad, returning home afterwards, and often advancing further and becoming leaders in their specialised fields.
There is also SEPA - the Single Euro Payments Area - which enables money transfers from the EU to Serbia to be carried out almost instantly and at significantly lower costs, benefiting everyone.
This applies both to citizens sending money to their families and to companies, as it reduces transaction costs. So this is only the beginning, and we are not stopping there. The next issue currently being discussed in Brussels is roaming charges, with the aim of reducing their cost.
We already have roaming charges abolished within the region, which was agreed under the Berlin Process led by Germany. The next step is, of course, reducing roaming tariffs between EU countries and the Western Balkans. We hope the negotiations are progressing well and will soon be concluded, so that in this area too we can bring people in the EU and the region even closer together."
How much has the Berlin Process contributed to European integration?
"When the Berlin Process was launched in 2014, it was based on the understanding that, on the one hand, we already had countries that had applied for EU membership and obtained candidate status, and with some, such as Serbia, negotiations had already begun. On the other hand, there was a recognised need for greater cooperation within the region.
Joining the EU also means that in many respects - not only economically - you must be competitive. You must be prepared to face much stronger competition from within the European Union in every field, not only the economy, but also agriculture. It is also a question of being capable of participating in European scientific networks.
That is why we said it was essential for countries to prepare themselves for closer cooperation, because countries are not admitted one by one in isolation; they are also assessed in relation to their neighbours, whether those neighbours are in the EU or outside it.
One of the first ideas was therefore the creation of a common regional market, where we have made significant progress towards greater trade and economic cooperation among countries, while beginning to harmonise standards and procedures, all with the goal of moving closer to EU standards. In this way, regional cooperation is encouraged not only in the economy, but also in science and culture, while at the same time contributing to reconciliation among countries. The Berlin Process has been quite successful in this regard because, as we know, the shadows of the 1990s are still present and there remains a considerable degree of mistrust."
How does the merit-based approach affect the dynamics of EU enlargement?
"In the end, it may sound dry when put this way, but the process is based on merit.
Countries must be ready and capable of joining the European Union, and the European Union itself - with 27-plus members - must also be capable of responding to all the challenges before it.
So, as far as we are concerned, the sooner the better. But real progress on the ground is what will determine when the time is right for the next step.
Nevertheless, we hope that Serbia will soon receive better news regarding further progress, and we hope the entire region will succeed in joining."
Should the countries of the Western Balkans join the EU together or individually?
"I think that, ultimately, as I said, the process is merit-based.
Countries must be ready in all respects before they can join the Union. Therefore, if you had ‘group membership’, it would mean having to wait for the last country until it too was ready. And I do not believe that is in the interest of the countries, particularly those that are already far advanced in the process.
That is why the essence of the process is that once all reforms and criteria have been fulfilled, a country becomes a member. You do not have to wait for those lagging behind, and I believe that is the best approach."
(EUpravo zato)
