Murphy: Serbia should stand by US and EU, not Russia

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said in Belgrade on Thursday that it is not in the interest of any country to support Vladimir Putin’s regime and that Serbia should coordinate with the West in its stance toward Russia.

Senator Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the remarks during a visit to Belgrade as part of a visit to the Western Balkans region with Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Armed Services Committee.

“The relationship between the United States and Serbia is of fundamental importance. The The United States relies on Serbia as an economic and political partner. Every time I am here, I have to emphasize that our economic partnership is getting stronger, we are strengthening our partnership in energy diversification, and of course we want Serbia to join the United States and Europe in imposing sanctions on Serbia Russia, but we appreciate Serbia voting with us at the United Nations,” Senator Murphy said after meetings with Serbian leaders.

Senator Murphy said he hopes to continue discussions with Serbian officials on harmonizing policies related to sanctions against Russia, stressing that “Serbia’s future lies with the U.S. and the EU, not Russia.”

Asked by reporters for comment on Serbian intelligence chief Aleksandar Vulin’s visit to Moscow, Senator Murphy said he “doesn’t think it’s in any country’s interest to support Vladimir Putin’s regime.”

Serbia, a candidate country for European Union membership, has refused to join sanctions against Russia over its aggression in Ukraine and continues to maintain close ties with the Kremlin, largely because of Moscow’s stance against Kosovo independence, which Belgrade continues to oppose.

The United States and the European Union have stepped up efforts to resolve the Kosovo-Serbia dispute, fearing further instability in Europe in light of the war in Ukraine. Kosovo and Serbia agreed in Ohrid in March to implement a European Union plan to normalize relations between them, but tensions remain high.

Senator Murphy said both parties should take steps to implement the agreement as soon as possible.

“I know the focus here is on the Serb-majority Association, but it’s necessary for both sides to take steps to implement it at the same time.” We believe that Serbia must fulfill its part of the work and Kosovo must fulfill its part. In Kosovo, I have said that they should fulfill their obligation and establish the Association of Serb Municipalities and they can do it in accordance with their Constitution,” said Senator Murphy, stressing that no time should be wasted.

“I don’t think it should take another year to understand how to establish the Association in accordance with Kosovo’s constitution. It should not take another year for Serbia to fulfill its obligations and allow Kosovo to join international organizations,” Murphy said.

The agreement on normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia requires good neighborly relations, recognition of documents and symbols, and respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It requires that the parties not hinder each other in the integration processes, but does not require mutual recognition. The plan foresees the fulfillment of all the agreements previously reached in the talks mediated by the European Union, including those for the establishment of the Association.

Kosovo and Serbia agreed on the establishment of the Association in 2013, and on its principles in August 2015. That same year, Kosovo’s Constitutional Court found that much of those principles contradicted Kosovo’s Constitution.

Belgrade accuses Kosovo of failing to comply with the agreements, while Prishtina accuses Serbia of violating the Ohrid Agreement, due to its positions against Kosovo’s membership in international organizations./VOA/