Bodo Weber

German expert on the Balkans and Senior Associate at the Democratization Policy Council (DPC), Bodo Weber, expects a sharper attitude towards Serbia from the new German government.
Weber said that, with a tougher stance towards Serbia, he expects the continuation of the policy towards Pristina led by Angela Merkel's government.

While Angela Merkel's political deal with the Social Democrats, the SDP, awaits final approval, experts on the Balkans predict that the new coalition will not make major changes towards the Balkans, but some countries might face more pressure to carry out internal reforms.

BELGRADE - The Western Balkans has never been a priority for the EU in comparison with other problems the EU has faced, such as the "Euro-crisis", says Bodo Weber, senior associate of the Democratisation Policy Council.

"The EU has remained on a kind of enlargement autopilot in the region for many years," he told EuropeanWesternBalkans.com in an interview.

Photo: Twitter

Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska, has denied claims that he planned to declare the independence from Bosnia of the mainly Serbian entity with Russian support - just after Russia annexed the Crimea from Ukraine.