German Foreign Policy

DW-TV: You once said that Europe should be a major player in global politics. That could very likely happen soon with regard to Kosovo. When will Kosovo be recognized?

Christoph Heusgen: The European Union has long been a player in global politics, particularly in the Balkans, during the crisis in 1999, when Europe despaired over Kosovo and failed in its role -- and has remained active since then. We have the EU to thank for the stability we see there compared to the situation in the 1990s. Slovenia is now an EU-member; Croatia is presently in membership negotiations.

We have also been able to forge closer relations between the other Balkan states and the European Union. Europe is like a rock that provides stability for the Balkans. And Kosovo is now the last problem remaining of the former Yugoslavia which we must solve. I'm sure that we can resolve the question of Kosovo's status in the coming weeks and months.

That means that you do not anticipate a speedy recognition of Kosovo as an independent state?

We must first wait and see how the government emerges in Kosovo, how further negotiations that are necessary will develop, and most importantly, we in the EU must make sure that we take the amicable approach in the Kosovo question that we have taken in all the other issues concerning the Balkans so far. That is also Chancellor Merkel's aim.

Nonetheless, it seems that the recognition of Kosovo as an independent state is meanwhile inevitable, even necessary. Do you anticipate unrest in the province when Kosovars declare independence?

Compared to the 1990s, we have, I believe, been able to achieve that the debates on the issue -- which are ongoing -- occur with peaceful means. Even last year, when discussions revolved around Bosnia and Herzegovina, they were addressed on a political level, and not one based on violence. We were able to achieve that and I am confident that we will be able to maintain such an approach when it comes to resolving the issue of Kosovo's status.

Turning to other issues, why is Chancellor Merkel so interested in Iran and so clear about her policy of wanting sanctions against the country if it refuses to give up its nuclear program?

Human rights are a central issue concerning Iran, but there is another important reason for Chancellor Merkel's concern about the country: Iran, or rather President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has questioned the existence of Israel like no other politician since World War II. It is abundantly clear that German politicians will do everything in their power to prevent any of Ahmadinejad's plans regarding Israel from becoming reality. I think it is incredibly important that we are absolutely clear when dealing with Iran, and that we clearly state what we think of the Iranian president's comments about Israel, and that we thwart any attempts by Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.

The European Union's biggest, most important neighbor is surely Russia. Elections will be held there in March. There will be a new president, but he will most likely continue on with the same policies of the current president. In strategic terms, just how important is collaborating with Russia?

Working together with Russia is very important, and will remain so, regardless of whether Putin maintains a central role as prime minister, or whether Medvedev is president.

It is key that Germany has good relations with Russia; it is also important for the European Union. Let me give you two or three examples as to why: If we want to achieve peace in the Middle East -- which has also been an area where Chancellor has been very active -- we can only do that with Russia. Working with Iran, or rather, maintaining a joint position toward Iran and its nuclear program -- that is also only possible with Russia. Russia is on the United Nations Security Council and we must and we do make efforts with Russia to come to joint positions, which are then approved by the Security Council. Also, it is essential to cooperate with Russia because of many other difficult international issues which remain unresolved. In addition, as you well know, we are dependent on Russian gas and crude oil for our energy supply. So, it is in our own interests to keep and expand good relations with Russia, which does not mean that one refrains from posing critical questions or avoids problematic issues. Addressing the rights of minorities or the right for people to demonstrate, or questioning the disappearance of journalists or unsolved murders must also remain on the agenda and be discussed.