Brussels based correspondent, Augustin Palokaj, writes today that there is no doubt that Serbia is one of the most important actors in Balkans, not due to its size, economic power or successes in reforms, but due to the destructive capacities that it has had in the region during the last 25 years.
There is also no doubt that Serbia has changed since then, if for nothing else, then in understanding that its nationalist agenda could not be reached by war, and that Croatia, Montenegro and Kosovo are independent states. Even though with delays, Serbia has arrested and handed over to Hague all the accused for war crimes, it is also undertaking reforms requested by EU and it has expressed aspirations to integrate in the European Union. It has even undertaken a few steps in relation to Kosovo, which helped Serbia to start negotiations for EU membership. From now, since Croatia has become EU’s 28th member state, Serbia has taken the role of some kind of the leader of the region.
Currently, there is an enthusiasm at the EU about Serbia which is even called “inspiration for the others.” The history of not so long time ago shows that pathetic complements towards Serbia and expressed “pleasures” for the changes in this state have been expression of misunderstanding of the situation. 14 years ago, EU was impressed as much with Serbia, when the same people that are today in the Government, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and his deputy Aleksandar Vucic, more exactly their chiefs at that time, Milosevic and Seselj, were removed from the Government.
There is no doubt that there has been progress in the relations between Serbia and Kosovo, but it should not be exaggerated, because no serious problem in these relations has been resolved as long as Serbia considers Kosovo to be its territory.
“It would have been good for the entire region if Serbia returned for sure and completely towards European integration and if it accepted to deal with its dark past. However, carefulness is required, because it has been proved during the last ten years that it is not difficult to turn on nationalist feelings, concludes Palokaj.
