On the eve of German Unity Day, celebrated on 3 October, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Serbia marked 36 years since reunification in Belgrade - an event considered in European history as an example of peacefully overcoming deep division.
On this occasion, we spoke with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Serbia, Anke Holstein. Speaking to EUpravo Zato, she assessed that relations between the two countries are at an excellent level and that her goal is to enhance them further. She also stated that an important step on the European path lies ahead for Serbia: parliamentary elections scheduled for 25 October.
Reunification
German reunification on 3 October 1990 came less than a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989. Two German states, divided for almost four decades, became one once again.
Today in Germany you represent a symbol of overcoming division. What is the most important message of that experience for Europe today?
"Allow me to quote what I will say in my speech, as it fits your question perfectly. The historical event of German reunification 36 years ago shows that people can overcome high walls and deep divisions without resorting to violence, if they truly desire to do so with all their heart.
The re-establishment of German unity was a triumph of the desire for freedom among the people in what was then the German Democratic Republic. This was possible because our partners and friends trusted in the peaceful and democratic development of Germany in the heart of Europe and supported that process. We will always remain grateful to our partners who placed so much trust in us."
Germany is one of Serbia's key partners. What would you like to achieve in relations between the two countries during your mandate?
"It gives me great pleasure to come to a country where bilateral relations are at such an excellent level, as is the case between Serbia and Germany. My main ambition, of course, is to at least maintain this excellent level and to enhance it further, which should be possible."
Serbia's European Path
Serbia was granted candidate status in March 2012, and accession negotiations formally opened in January 2014. To date, it has opened 22 of 35 negotiation chapters. No cluster has been opened since December 2021. In early July, there was no consensus among member states to open Cluster 3, even though technical conditions were assessed to have been met.
Visit EUmeter, a platform for monitoring progress and assessing the level of readiness of the Republic of Serbia and other candidate countries in the European Union accession process.
What is the next most important step for Serbia on its European path?
"I think a very important step awaits us in four weeks: the elections. Serbia could show that it is a very good candidate for European Union membership by succeeding in holding free, transparent, and democratic elections, free from violence. That all sides ultimately accept the election results, followed by the swift formation of a government and a return to working on reforms and the European path."
(EUpravo zato)