Belgrade, June 2nd, 2015
WHAT DOES DR. ANGELA MERKEL’S VISIT TO BELGRADE BRING?
Although the precise date of German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel’s visit to
Serbia is still unknown, it is soon expected. There is little doubt this visit
will prove to be very important, both for further development of bilateral
relations between the two countries and the relations of Serbia and the
European Union, the latter often referred to as Serbia’s European agenda. No
less present will be the topics covering actual developments in the region.
With the crisis in Greece unrelenting, the region is experiencing a new one –
this time in FYRO Macedonia. Further to this, political extremism, organized
international crime and terrorism are on the rise. The heroin-transiting route
goes through FYROM, parts of Serbia, in particular Kosovo and Metohija, through
Albania and some other countries in the region, to end up on the streets of all
major cities in Western Europe. That same route is also a major corridor for
the transit of tens of thousands of refugees from the Near East, the Middle
East, and Northern Africa, including so-called political asylum seekers from
the region. Scenes of badges and chants to so-called Greater Albania are on the
rise on various occasions in Kosovo and Metohija, Albania, FYROM, and to a
lesser degree so in Greece and Montenegro.
Speak loudly or keep silent as one may, or downplaying the above or some other
incidents, it seems that the region has plunged into times of serous
turbulences, if not destabilization proper.
The questions are obvious: to which extent are these events spontaneous versus
being orchestrated; to which extent are they consequences of vividly deep
socio-economic crisis, or of mass unemployment and disorientation of the youth,
and to which extent the result of out-of-region powers “pulling strings”; why
the mechanisms of preventive actions were not activated; what are possible
outcomes; in case of escalation and, possibly, even more severe development of
situation, how to prevent spillover or domino-effect, as this could hardly be
controlled or contained to this region alone?
We believe that this question will also be tackled in talks during the Belgrade
visit of Dr. Angela Merkel. Further, we hope that the joint efforts will result
in realistic and useful initiative and outcomes. Reference to joint efforts
implies Serbia’s important geo-strategic position and capacity for partnership
in areas and ventures of common interest. We deem that, in this, Serbia
deserves by far greater understanding and support.
While keeping the pace with the public and political developments, we believe
we are not mistaken to infer that the major segment of public in Serbia holds
that – and this is historically important – it would be most beneficial for
reconciliation, greater understanding and overall wider cooperation, if
Chancellor Merkel would find it appropriate to issue a public apology to the
Serbian nation during this visit, for crimes and enormous devastation inflicted
by German occupying forces during both World Wars and NATO aggression in 1999,
where Bundeswehr has had a leading role.
Not only decades, but also a century has passed since; yet, the Serbian nation
still deeply and painfully remembers it all, and feels for its millions-strong
victims being ignored, as there has never been any remorse or apology declared
by any German official. If we understand the Serbian public at all, the
majority expects apology from Germany for the crimes committed by German
occupiers on the territory of Serbia. After Russia and Poland, Serbia comes
third by number of human casualties perished during World War Two, and, as is
historical fact, has given a vast contribution to the Allied victory over Nazis
and Fascists
The forthcoming visit of Dr. Angela Merkel is already seen as appropriate
opportunity for a public apology also because it comes in the midst of the
series of marking the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi-Fascism, the
centenary of the World War One, and the 16th anniversary of NATO aggression.
Serbian people are aware that the highest German officials have already
publicly apologized for the victims of Nazi-Fascism: to Poland (Chancellor
Willy Brandt, in Warsaw), to France (in Oradour), to Greece (President Johannes
Rau, in Kalavriti, 2000, President Joachim Gauck, in Ligkiades, 2014), to Czech
Republic (President Gauck, in Lidice, 2014), to Italy (President Gauck, in
Sant’Anna di Stazzema).
Indeed, it would be very difficult to explain that Chancellor Merkel’s official
visit to the country and the nation that have so terribly suffered under
occupation of Hitler Soldatesque, in the year of numerous jubilees, passes
without due homage to the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi-Fascism,
without tribute to millions of victims, and without public apology to the
Serbian nation. This is paying a moral and civilizational debt to history, and
also a far more important contribution to the reconciliation and the future,
namely, the future of Serbian - German relations and the future of Europe. Here
we talk about a Europe vying for reconciliation, and the vision of peace and
equality.
The Belgrade Forum for a World of
Equals Dragomir Vučićević, retired Ambassador,
President of Assembly of the Belgrade Forum
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