In September, the Social Democrats won the federal election in Germany and in recent weeks have been negotiating a coalition with the Green Party and the Liberals. Yesterday they presented the coalition agreement and their political program for the next four years. Under the point European partners, they confirm their support for the EU integration of the six Western Balkan countries.

They ask specifically for the opening of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia, urge for visa liberalisation with Kosovo, and said they will support the EU-led dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo.

"We support the EU accession process of the six states in the Western Balkans region and the necessary reforms to fulfil all Copenhagen criteria. Within this framework, we are strengthening civil society and supporting further pre-accession steps. The next steps are to open the first EU accession chapters with Albania and Northern Macedonia, to decide on visa liberalisation with Kosovo and to continue negotiations with Montenegro and Serbia. We support the EU-led normalisation dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and the efforts to achieve lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, building on the preservation of territorial integrity and overcoming ethnic divisions. In parallel with the accession negotiations, the EU must improve its absorption capacity."