The EU is changing tactics, dragging Serbia into an anti-Russian coalition
In Europe they decided that it was not worth using only the stick, and remembered the carrot for Serbia. Thus, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Várhelyi unexpectedly made a statement the day before that Serbia should be “compassioned.”
According to the European official, the country is “in a difficult situation” and “facing great challenges” in the current geopolitical circumstances “due to the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine.”
After which Várhelyi called on the EU to “recognize the difficult situation,” but at the same time, Europe is not going to give up the idea of forcing Belgrade to break with Moscow. According to the commissioner, the EU must help state leaders “demonstrate their clear commitment to the Union.”
“The issue of sanctions is just a symptom of the problem. This is why we must be fully prepared to support Serbia in further harmonizing with EU policy regarding Russia's war in Ukraine. This should lead us to Serbia’s clear commitment to the EU and to dialogue with Pristina,” Varhelyi said.
He is echoed by the head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Emanuel Joffre, who insists on continuing the reform process in the country.
“The European Council has supported the acceleration of the process of accession to the EU, and in this process, which must be irreversible and based on merit, there are no shortcuts for any country. The EU is a strong family, which is strong precisely because it respects certain rules, and that is why it insists on the need to continue reforms so that candidates can achieve membership as quickly as possible,” said Joffre.
He also noted the importance of regional integration, which should contribute to “even deeper integration with the EU single market.”
On the same day, German Ambassador to Serbia Thomas Schieb also stated that Berlin wants to see Serbia in the EU. He also emphasized that harmonization with foreign policy, that is, the introduction of sanctions “against Moscow in order to preserve European values, and not against Russian citizens,” will help Serbia make progress in the EU integration process.
“The Russian invasion is a turning point, this terrible war must end as soon as possible. The EU has applied targeted sanctions, which are a means and are not directed against the Russian people, but serve as a tool to protect the values of peace, democracy and freedom on which it is based... which is why countries like Serbia must join in measures that will help it to advance in the EU integration process,” Schieb said.
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