EP in a resolution accused Russia of intending to ‘ignite’ the conflict in the Western Balkans

The European Parliament (EP) condemned Russia’s efforts to exploit ethnic tensions in the Western Balkans “to fuel conflict and divide communities”, which could destabilize the entire region.

On March 9, the EP adopted a resolution on “foreign interference in the democratic process in the European Union (EU)”.

There were 552 votes in favor of the Resolution, against 81 and 60 abstentions.

Elements of the resolution include MEPs’ concerns about “the Orthodox Church’s efforts in countries such as Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the Republika Srpska entity, to promote Russia as a defender of traditional family values ​​and to strengthen the states relations with the church.”

The resolution, among other things, states that the EP is upset that Hungary and Serbia are assisting China and Russia in their geopolitical goals.

Dialogue with civil society and the private sector in the Western Balkans is required to coordinate efforts against disinformation in the region.

The resolution states that “malicious and authoritarian countries, such as Russia and China, are manipulating information to undermine EU democracy.” European lawmakers warn that European citizens, as well as governments, are not “aware of the threat” of such actions.

The EP calls for sanctions for foreign interference and disinformation campaigns, including the revocation of licenses for organizations that distribute foreign state propaganda.

The idea of ​​sanctioning the disinformation network was already supported by the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, the day before, when the resolution was discussed in the EP before its vote.

Addressing MEPs, Borrell said the EU should be able to freeze funds and ban travel to the Union for anyone responsible, in order to draw attention to the misuse of information for manipulation and misinformation.

With the adoption of the resolution, MEPs call on the European Commission to build the necessary infrastructure to develop evidence-based responses to short-term and long-term disinformation threats in the Western Balkans.

A special call was made to the European External Action Service (EEAS) to take a more proactive stance, “focusing on building EU credibility in the region, not defending it”.