THE IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY ON THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Abstract

The main task of this study is to determine to what extent the FR Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland), as a country that, owing to the strength of its economy, represents the most influential member of the European Union, affects the process of european integration of Serbia. The Federal Republic of Germany represents the country without which is at this point difficult to imagine a solution of any of the more important european issues. The leadership of the FR Germany within the functioning of the contemporary EU is reflected in its influence on the process of enlargement of the European family. The highest representatives of the FR Germany on several occasions unequivocally reiterated the view that all countries of the Western Balkans, including Serbia, deserve a european perspective. Since all the countries of the Western Balkans, including the Republic of Serbia, seek full membership in the EU, the process of european integrations is the connective tissue between them and the powerful Germany.

After the political changes in October 2000, Serbia has continuously followed the policy of european integration, which, with some delays, caused by the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo during 2008, has remained its primary foreign policy goal. On the path of full membership in the EU, Serbia needs a strong ally along this path. Improving political and economic relations between Serbia and Germany, as the strongest EU country, would make it easier to achieve this goal. How strong the influence of Germany in the whole process of enlargement of the EU actually is, Serbia was convinced in the best way during December 2011, when the official Berlin, dissatisfied with the activities of Serbia regarding the abolition of its institutions in Kosovo, prevented Serbia from obtaining the candidate status for membership in the EU. Although during the current mandate of the European Commission, which expires in 2019, the Union enlargement to the new countries will not happen, it is up to the Serbian state leadership to, by deepening relations with the mighty Germany and on the wave of its support, attempt to achieve their primary foreign policy goal during the next mandate of the Commission, that is, in the period from 2019 to 2024.