Serbia is one of the very few European countries not aligned with EU sanctions against Russia and is, in this respect, in an isolated position in the Western Balkans region
We believe there is no better address today to discuss actual political topics in Serbia and the EU than Vladimír Bilčík, the member of the European Parliament and standing rapporteur for Serbia. He speaks clearly about the Europride, Russian aggression on Ukraine, Serbia’s EU accessing process, and many regional relationships and issues.
You recently gave an awe-inspiring speech at Europride in Belgrade. Today, after this event, how do you comment on everything that happened related to Europride?
First and foremost, it was an honour to address the participants of Belgrade’s Europride in September with a special message from European Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola. I have always felt that Belgrade is a tolerant and safe city. Despite the difficulties prior to the Pride, it was very important that this European event took place. There was a lot of work put into hosting it, and I would like to thank all those who positively contributed to the organisation of EuroPride. I regret the violence against journalists and activists and the isolated incidents that occurred. Overall, I hope that next year’s edition of Belgrade Pride will be organised with more clarity.
How important is the connection of the Western Balkans region (e.g. the Open Balkans Initiative) for the region and Europe?
A common regional market within the Berlin Process framework is an important part of the EU accession process. All regional economic cooperation schemes in the Western Balkans should be inclusive and open to all six partners in the region. An inclusive initiative also treats all countries on equal footing. Its sole purpose should be strengthening further alignment with EU standards and the acquis in order to speed up EU integration and accession, not to create an alternative integration model.
Serbia’s accession to the European Union seems to have never been further. Who is to blame for that? Are the Serbian authorities not doing enough, or is the EU also to blame, which often does not show a friendly face to Serbia and pushes it further away from itself?
Serbian political leaders have repeatedly confirmed that the country’s strategic choice belongs to the EU. Serbia is an EU candidate country. This means that its credible enlargement perspective requires political will, sustainable efforts and irreversible reforms in all areas, particularly those linked to the rule of law, as well as an unwavering commitment to European standards and values. It is a question of political leadership and responsibility, not friendliness.
Let us quote one of the official documents of the European Parliament of which you are a member: “MEPs will assess the political situation in three accession countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia”. Why does this EU body call Kosovo a state when we know that the EU is status-neutral regarding the Kosovo dispute, bearing in mind that there was no consensus regarding its recognition when five EU members did not do it?
The European Parliament, with a huge majority, supports the EU-led Belgrade – Pristina Dialogue and the work of the EU Special Representative in this process. This is our priority. As the European Parliament is a democratically elected political body and the majority of its Members recognise Kosovo, the practice in the European Parliament is to refer to Kosovo as Kosovo, including in the Annual Report and in other official documents of the EP.
Can Europe understand Serbia’s interest in not imposing sanctions on Russia due to its aggression against Ukraine? Germany is heated with Russian gas, and Serbia is criticised because a commercial airline flies to Moscow. Why?
Let us be crystal clear: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is the reason for the existence of the EU’s sanctions. I strongly regret the fact that Serbia has not yet aligned with EU sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and I have been repeating my position to all relevant stakeholders in Serbia. Serbia is one of the very few European countries not aligned with EU sanctions against Russia and is, in this respect, in an isolated position in the Western Balkans region.
Despite the difficulties prior to the Pride, it was very important that this European event took place
It is my hope that the newly elected authorities will show unambiguous commitment to EU values, standards and rules and align with the EU’s decisions and positions in foreign and security policy, which includes EU sanctions on Russia. Serbia’s energy dependence on Russia is by no means exceptional. Many European economies, including Slovakia’s, have been dependent on natural resources from Russia, and we feel the economic consequences of the Russian attack on Ukraine. This is precisely why it is important that we stand up to Moscow’s aggression together with Serbia and also work together with Belgrade on new, safer and more reliable sources of energy for the citizens of Serbia.
Will Serbia’s support for Russia, which is reflected in various, but mostly symbolic things, affect the negotiations on EU accession?
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has turned around the entire security situation in Europe. There is a “before” February 24 and “after” February 24 moment on our continent. In these difficult times, Serbia has to choose a side. Even more in a situation where Russia keeps escalating by organising fake referenda, annexing parts of Ukrainian regions and mobilizing additional troops.
Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine should be seen as Russia’s most blatant attack on freedom and democratic values since the collapse of the Soviet Union
As a keen supporter of Serbia’s European future, I have to tell you that the recent consultations between Serbia and Russia at the United Nations in New York have been seen by many across the EU as a political setback for Serbia’s accession process. The symbolism of pictures with Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov has resonated strongly and not positively among Serbia’s partners in Europe.
In today’s world, there is a distinct polarity, and all the authorities worldwide have a narrow view of solving the problem. Is it possible that everything in this world is black and white and that only one side is absolutely correct and the other is always to blame for everything?
Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine should be seen as Russia’s most blatant attack on freedom and democratic values since the collapse of the Soviet Union. After attacking Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014, Russia has been waging a full-on war in Ukraine since February 2022. Let us be clear: Russia is mobilising to attack an EU candidate country and is therefore attacking one of the most promising EU policies. There is no shade of grey to be defended in this situation. Those who try to relativize Russia’s motives are serving Russian state-run propaganda.
The West is proud of its democratic system but is it a democracy if the people haven’t been asked for anything, and policies are conducted according to the interests of the political power and corporations?
I have a simple answer for you – the most advanced democratic systems in the world, which are by far and large in Europe – are continuously home to the happiest nations in the world. I think that speaks volumes for the Western democratic system.
FEATURED INTERVIEW
by Dragan Nikolić
Originally published in the NEW OCTOBER 2022 EDITION of Diplomacy&Commerce magazine
