The acting Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) brought sanctions against politicians in Bosnia-Herzegovina into play. In view of the tensions in the multi-ethnic country, one must consider whether a tougher course should not be taken against people who want to cut the state structure and ties to the EU, Maas said on Monday after consultations by the EU foreign ministers on the situation in the Western Balkans in Brussels. "The development in Bosnia is extremely worrying," he added. The background to this is that the Bosnian-Serbian presidential member Milorad Dodik is currently pushing for a secession of the Serb-dominated part of the country.
But there are also tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, said Maas.
"On the other hand, the EU must show that it is credible," warned the Foreign Minister.
The European Union urgently needs to start accession conferences with Albania and North Macedonia.
That also has a stabilizing effect in the region.
The background to this is that some EU countries are applying the brakes even though the two Western Balkan states have met all the conditions for starting EU accession talks.