Merkel: Talks with Vucic to table Serbia's further pathway

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angel Merkel has underlined that she is looking forward to the visit by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic to Berlin, and announced that they will discuss Serbia's further pathway.

Vucic will pay a visit to Berlin on Wednesday upon the invitation of the German chancellor.

In a video message at the website of the Bundestag, she underlined that all Western Balkan countries have a clear European perspective, and commended Serbia in particular for the progress in relations with Pristina.

Merkel said that she had a telephone conversation earlier with Vucic regarding the floods that hit Serbia mid-May, adding that Germany offered and provided practical support to the affected areas.

She said that there are differences in positions, but positive tendencies are leading towards changes, adding that two or three years ago she had doubts about Serbia's pathway in terms of Kosovo, however to date a considerable progress has been made in coexistence with Pristina.

Merkel said that Germany has recognized Kosovo's independence, and expressed belief that Serbia as well will embark on a practical path of improvement of relations with Kosovo.

Taking a look at the history, we can tell that such changes are acceptable, while certain changes are slow. It is important that Serbia wants to take the EU pathway, and there will be peace in the Western Balkans only if there is a European perspective, she said. She said that the European history is closely connected with the history in the Western Balkans pointing to the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WWI.

Merkel underlined that official Berlin is not against the EU enlargement, stressing that Germany is only insisting of...