Wolfram Mass, Ambassador of Germany to Belgrade - Serbia can be admitted to EU faster than other countries

(Wolfram Mass)

- There will be no additional conditions for Serbia's admission to EU. There are no obstacles on its way to the Union - says Wolfram Mass, the Ambassador of Germany to Belgrade. In the interview that is occasioned by the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, one of historical landmarks in the newer history of Europe and the world, he reveals how he experienced that moment and speaks of the future policy of new German Government towards the western Balkans.

- I do not expect any changes in the policy of the new Government towards the EU enlargement because European policy and German position towards enlargement in particular have not been the subject of disagreements between the parties in Germany. That also concerns the western Balkans. The criteria for EU enlargement have remained the same. Everything we've asked from Serbia is also asked from all other candidates for admission to EU. There are no special conditions for Serbia.

Ms. Doris Pack, German representative in European Parliament, has recently said that Serbia is not going to be admitted to EU until it solves its problem with Kosovo?

- Ms. Pack does not speak on behalf of German Government. What I have learned from the media is that she said that she had pleaded for reasonable cooperation in the region. That is nothing new. And that reasonable cooperation in the region does not mean that EU will ask Serbia to acknowledge the independence of Kosovo. Good neighboring relations have nothing to do with the acknowledgment.

Government of Serbia announced that it would apply for candidacy for EU membership in December. If that happens, when do you think Serbia can be admitted to the Union?

- I don't like to talk about dates. The only thing I can do is advise you to take one step at a time on your way to EU. If we speak about required time, 12 new countries have become the members of EU over the last ten years, and we all know how long that took. I am sure that Serbia has the potential to introduce all necessary measures, primarily the ones of legal nature, faster than many other countries that have already been admitted to EU. The proof of the political willingness is Serbia's pro-European Government. There is also readiness for quicker progress, which is proved by the adoption of required regulations. I am impressed with the determination of the Office for European Integrations and how diligently it works to reach that goal.

Is there something that can slow down Serbia's progress on its way to EU?

- I honestly believe not. The major job is of administrative nature and that is why I can not see any obstacle, at least not unless this Government changes its policy.

What is your view of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina? If its leaders fail to reach the agreement, is new violence possible?

- I hope that there is not going to be any new violence in Bosnia. We would all lose in that case. It would be the best for that country to use the chance to become a member of EU as soon as possible. The admission to European Union would be the best solution for all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of their nationalities.

Which historical lessons should we remember on the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall?

- That dictatorship and tyranny can oppress the people for some time, but freedom wins in the end, and not even the walls can prevent that. The second thing is the fact that my country, which committed crimes against humanity and fought against almost the whole world in the past, was fortunate enough to have such neighbors who were willing to offer the helping hand and give us the chance for a new beginning. We used that chance by learning some necessary lessons and reexamining our own past. The result is that the countries that suffered so much because of us in the past are now our best friends.

Where were you at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall?

- I was working in Jamaica at the time. We had a baby and we were often coming to Miami to buy things for her. We were staying in the apartment of a colleague of mine. I was careful not to touch things in the flat. That afternoon my wife, daughter and I returned from the shopping and, after a short rest, I decided to turn on TV. I did not know much about cable television at the time. I was pressing the buttons and finally found CNN. I was in shock when I saw people standing on the wall. I told my wife: "You have to see this". We were sitting in front of TV for the next 12 hours. We didn't even sleep. I was so fascinated with what I saw because nobody expected that.

Have you ever been to East Germany before that?

- I don't have relatives in the east. I had traveled few times on business there before the fall of the Berlin Wall. I had heard many scary things, but I did not realize what the people were talking about until I learned from my own experience. They once stopped me for no reason and took me to an empty room for interrogation. It lasted for about 20 minutes. I was scared to death. They were free to do with me whatever they wanted and nobody would ever find out anything about that. That helped me realize how difficult the life of the people who are now part of my country once was.

Is there any difference between the east and the west of Germany now?

- We have come a long way together since the unification. The economy in the east was lagging behind a lot. Many companies were ruined and new jobs had to be created. People were not ready for that. Huge money was invested in transformation of the east. In spite of that, some problems remain.

(Note: complete text is taken over from newspaper "Blic" of November 3rd, 2009)