EP Rapporteur on Serbia Davic McAllister has “expressed his understanding for the traditionally good relations Serbia has with Russia.”
Nevertheless, said the German MEP who is currently visiting Belgrade, “Serbia must make certain efforts to align its foreign policy positions with those of the EU.”
“Serbia has special economic and cultural ties with Russia,” said he – and, according to Tanjug, added that “Serbia will have a key role in the establishment of good ties between the EU and Serbia.”
During his conversation with journalists organized by the Belgrade-based daily Danas on Tuesday, McAllister said that Serbia “did not agree with restrictive measures” against Russia adopted by EU countries, and stress that Serbia “must make certain efforts to align its foreign policy positions with those of the EU.”
He at the same time noted that Belgrade had “welcomed persons that are not welcome in the UE,” and that Serbia has been organizing military exercises with the Russian Army, which, according to him, is not a good signal.
McAllister further apprised that Serbia as the OSCE chair “can help solve many problems,” and added he supported the country’s efforts in that direction.
He also stressed the fruitful cooperation between Serbia and NATO and according to Tanjug, “encouraged the country to deepen its relations with that alliance.”
As for Serbia’s negotiations to join the EU, McAllister said it was “time to open the first chapter in accession negotiations,” adding it was “obvious” this would be chapter 35.
According to Tanjug, chapter 35 deals with the process of normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, and McAllister said that its opening would depend on whether it was possible to make further progress when it came to setting up a community of Serb municipalities (ZSO).
“Belgrade and Pristina must sign a legally binding agreement at the end of the process,” McAllister told journalists, adding that the first chapters would probably be opened in the current year.
He also said that the decision to open the chapters is made by all 28 EU member-states and the European Commission only makes a recommendation, adding that Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights), 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) and 32 (Financial Control) could be opened along with Chapter 35.
According to McAllister, the most pressing issue at the moment is finding a solution for the ZSO, and Pristina, as well as Belgrade, needs to do what it is supposed to do.
He said that we had to be aware of the fact that opening the chapters was only the starting point for real work ahead of Serbia.
In his conversation with reporters in Belgrade on Tuesday, he also spoke about “the importance of good neighboring relations in the region,” stressing that it was “not only up to Serbia to work on their improvement.”
“Regional cooperation and good neighboring relations lie at the core of the EU integration process. This is the only way to achieve peace, stability and prosperity in this part of Europe,” McAllister told reporters in Belgrade.
He highlighted Serbia’s role in fostering good neighboring relations and Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic’s “constructive approach,” pointing to his visit to Tirana and presence at the commemoration in Potocari on July 11.
These events were historical milestones, he said.
“The commemoration in Potocari should have been a place for reflection and not violence,” McAllister underlined.
He welcomed “Vucic’s decision for Serbia’s hand to remain outstretched toward Bosniak people thereby proving commitment to reconciliation,” he said.
McAllister underscored that it is not only up to Serbia to build up good neighboring relations, but also to other countries that should give their contribution.
Commenting on Hungary’s decision to build a fence along the border with Serbia to prevent migrants from third countries entering its soil, McAllister that “building a wall in the middle of Europe will not contribute to good-neighborly relations and could not possibly be a sustainable solution.”
The issue of immigrants is a major responsibility for everyone in Europe and the biggest challenge of our time, which we will be concerned with in the coming years, McAllister told reporters in Belgrade.
He is of the opinion that the issue of immigrants can be solved in the countries of origin.
“Rivers of people are on the move, and they are arriving in Serbia, so you have to share the burden,” he said, underscoring that, however, refugees are coming to Serbia across some other country, because of which it is important that the assumption of responsibility starts from Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria.
McAllister added that he understands Serbia’s concerns over Hungary’s decision to build a fence along the border with Serbia so as to block migrants, adding that EU officials keep insisting on good neighborly relations, and the wall certainly does not contribute to that.
However, every country has the right to manage its borders on its own and take measures to secure them, McAllister said, reiterating that the wall could not possibly be a sustainable solution.
“Since I come from Germany, I believe that tearing down walls is much better than building new ones,” he stressed, noting that joint patrols would be a much better solution.
