Exclusive Interview with German State Minister for European Affairs Michael Roth on EU policies on Albania and Macedonia after the European decision on possible opening of negotiations in 2019.

DW: Mr. Roth, on Tuesday, the EU Council decided to open negotiations with Macedonia and Albania after a year and several conditions have been met. This decision was interpreted in controversial ways in the affected countries: the opposition took a negative signal, governments as a positive signal. How should this decision be understood by you?

Michael Roth: Albania and Macedonia have made a big step forward on their way to the EU and for that our Macedonian and Albanian friends can be very proud. They have come a long way, have implemented many reforms, but much remains to be done. And the bridge that we have built up until June next year should be solid enough that by the end of June next year both countries will cross this bridge towards EU membership negotiations.

DW: What arguments brought the two countries, France and the Netherlands, who were against the beginning of the negotiations, and you had to convince them?

Roth: Of course, one of the arguments had nothing to do with the situation in Skopje and Tirana. It was about the European Union that is shocked by the crisis, which is more busy with its own problems. They ask the question: Can we come to these times when we have to spend all the power to regulate our affairs, to hold ambitious membership negotiations. I do not believe this argument because I continue to be convinced that it is in the interest of all of Europe that the Western Balkans remain or become stable and anchored in the rule of law.

DW: When you say that the countries themselves are not blame, but the internal problems of the EU, then can it happen that after a year the EU will again be burdened with its problems and that the negotiations again be postponed ?

Roth: This was just one of the arguments that did not have to do with these two places. But, of course, there are EU member states who have doubts whether the progress made is sufficient. First and foremost with regard to the fight against corruption, the fight against organized crime, the strengthening of the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. That is why my government also put forward a compromise that was welcomed with much sympathy, but ultimately I am glad to agree on a common position, which should be seen as encouragement of reform forces in Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

DW: In addition to these reservations, do not expect these two countries to provide assistance in overcoming the refugee crisis?

Roth: There are no bargains between the European Union and these two states. We know the Western Balkans that so far has done a lot for the acceptance of refugees, so if these countries are ready to assist us in the refugee and immigrant policies, there will be no shortage of enlargement policies and it seems to me unfairly exerted pressure on these two states, because one has nothing to do with the other.

DW: What should Albania have achieved concretely by June 2019?

Roth: Albania has become an etalon with the Vetting process to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and we expect the process of re-evaluation of the most important judges and prosecutors to succeed. This is one of the sectors. If organized crime is to be further fought, then this will certainly increase credibility, especially those countries that still have reservations.

DW: And Macedonia? Macedonia’s president has declared he will not sign the deal with Greece. The opposition is against. Do not you think this will lead to the deterioration of the situation by September when a referendum on the name issue takes place?

Roth: I just want to appeal to all responsible parties in Skopje to take their historic responsibility seriously. They may not know all of what they would endanger. I understand that this compromise may have been very painful for anyone, but it is the key to the European Union’s accession to NATO.

It is a key that opens a door to peace and long-term reconciliation in the region and I have the impression that most people in the region have understood this. But on the other hand, we also need to learn apparently that the Western Balkans deserve greater attention because stability and democracy in the Western Balkans must enter into genuine EU interests and that it should not be allowed to create a vacuum politics./Deutsche Welle