MEP: Democratic Serbia in EU would be fantastic news, but Serbian govt a problem

The Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament (EP) will be actively involved in monitoring the situation in Serbia, as the new European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia is Tonino Picula, a former Croatian foreign minister. Picula has represented Croatia’s Social Democratic Party in the EP since 2013. MEP Thijs Reuten, from the same political group, told N1 that they will also have a rapporteur for Albania and that they are engaged with all Western Balkans countries.

The Western Balkans region is “of paramount importance not only for the future of the region itself, we have to help them, we have to stimulate them, it is our moral obligation. But it is also important for Europe, for the existing European Union. We need to link this region firmly as hopefully members of our family of democracies and freedom,” Reuten told an interview with N1.

When asked whether he is concerned about foreign influence in the region, particularly Russian, Reuten noted that the vulnerability of the countries in the region, but also of the European Union as a whole, is linked to attempts of Russian foreign interference, and its attempts to destabilize individual countries and the entire region.

“I am very worried about that. I am very worried about the very frequent contacts between the Serbian government and Moscow. They are still traveling to Russia, which worries me a lot, as does the behavior of the Serbian government in the region by feeding instability in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. And that is combined with the interest of Russia to keep this region unstable, to keep them as far as possible from the democratic path, from the path to the European Union. We should be very attentive to that,” cautioned the MEP.

In response to what this says about Serbia as an EU candidate and whether Serbia is becoming a problem for the EU, he said the Union is not handling the situation properly and emphasized his support for Belgrade joining the European Union.

“A democratic Serbia, a Serbia that plays its role in the region and in the European Union would be fantastic news for the region, for the European Union, but also for Serbia itself. I am not against Serbia or the Serbian people, but we have a problem with the Serbian government. That requires a firm strategy by the European Union based on our values, on the rule of law, on democracy, on telling the Serbian government exactly what we expect from them. What we do not expect is that they come to Brussels and say that they want Serbia to be a member of the family, but once they are back in Belgrade, they are not talking in the same manner about their European path. On the contrary, they sometimes prefer to take a plane to Russia instead of participating in European dialogues. And that is the wrong signal. We also need to be tougher regarding the efforts of the Serbian government, for example, in Kosovo, to keep the destabilization going there. And I think the European Union has to be stricter with the Serbian government in this respect,” said Reuten.

When asked how he interprets the latest public opinion polls showing a decline in support for the EU and European integration, he said it should be viewed as partly an effect of the information that is offered.

“I would love to be interviewed in Serbian outlets, to be in a debate with Serbian people, but we have very limited possibility to actually reach certain communities in Serbia because the media are so controlled and so influenced by the Serbian government with a certain narrative. I am available for that kind of debate, because that should be a debate about the European future, in my opinion, of the ordinary Serbian citizens, they have a lot to win with the European path, and they have a lot to lose when Serbia remains a country that is associated with Russian destabilization,” he said.

In response to the assessment that the EU’s support for the controversial lithium mining project has contributed to a decline in trust in the EU in Serbia, Reuten said that if it involves cooperation between companies and Serbia, of course it is possible to have projects that are beneficial for both sides.

“But I agree on that with a lot of activists in Serbia, it has to happen within the rules that respect the environment, and the working conditions of the people involved in the project. I think we have a topic for discussion, but also a lot to win. Because if we can explain and if we can also make sure that – we say, okay, it is very good to have these joint projects in Serbia also with companies from outside Serbia, but that we have to respect the rules that we ourselves have imposed on this kind of mining projects. And although Serbia is not yet a member of the European Union, I think it is in the interest of the Serbian people, and also in our interest, that we ask for the basic protection of the environmental elements involved in this kind of projects. That is a basic requirement of doing business in a transparent and good manner. So I do understand the worries of the people, but we need to also put that in a context where we also help companies and actors involved on both sides to respect the rules. It is good that we have this cooperation, but it has to be within the limits of relevant legislation,” he emphasized.

When asked whether his message can reach the people of Serbia, he said he hopes so.

“I want to really invest in that dialogue in the coming years,” said Reuten, explaining that the European Parliament has a strong voice when it comes to the region. “We need to keep talking to each other and I am ready for dialogue with people who may be skeptical,” he added.

The MEP said Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin’s latest positive statements about Serbia’s cooperation with BRICS are worrying.

“I say to the Serbian people – think really where your interest is. Because if 18 billion euros of your 27 billion euros of export is with the EU, then I think your economic interest, without even talking about membership, is with EU member states and with cooperation with the EU. We are ready, but we want to do that with a Serbia that respects democratic principles, principles that we hold high in the European Union. It is good for Serbia, it is good for the European Union, we need to get further together,” said Reuten./N1/