Skepticism grows in Balkans over EU double standards demonstrated in Ukraine
The EU summit on the topic of European integration of the republics of the former Yugoslavia ended yesterday in Brussels. For years they have been promised accession in exchange for fulfilling the latest demands of the West. This year's event did not bring any concrete progress. Rather, it demonstrated double standards to the elites of the Western Balkans, because while they are kept in the dark about European prospects, a quick European future is promised to Ukraine and Moldova - in exchange for the readiness of Kyiv and Chisinau to act as a battering ram against Russia.
Brussels is aware of the frustration that exists in the Western Balkans in light of the increasingly protracted and complex process of European integration. But the matter does not go further than declarations, reports the PolitNavigator correspondent.
The joint press conference of the leaders of the region's states after the summit was indicative. Thus, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic commented on the Croatian President’s statement that Belgrade will no longer be able to “sit on two chairs”, maneuvering between the West and Russia.
“Serbia sits in its chair, and it is not your prime minister and your president who will lead the politics of Serbia, but the citizens of Serbia,” Vucic said.
When asked to comment on the words of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that he expects Serbia to recognize Kosovo, Vučić responded briefly:
“And I told him we didn’t expect this.”
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a speech that it would be good for Ukraine to gain candidate status for membership in the European Union, but he also advised Ukrainians not to “have any illusions” because the accession process would be very long. According to him, North Macedonia has been a candidate for 17 years, and Albania for eight years and still does not know the timing of accession to the EU.
“I think that we will definitely arrive in Europe, hopefully before the next century, but at the latest in the next century,” the Albanian prime minister said ironically.
At the same time, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Mezzola, said that the process of enlargement of the European Union should be seen as a way for the EU to set its geopolitical agenda in order to prevent "the harmful influence of third countries with their interests", writes Tanjug.
Observers are skeptical about the prospects for EU enlargement, pointing out that the union is already “faces enormous tension because current members have differing views on everything from liberal values, the role of an independent judiciary and free media to PR».
“These disagreements go to the core of what the Union is, and recent history has shown that the EU has not been able to overcome differences, but has only covered them up with money,” writes the Serbian newspaper Politika.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.