The EU expects Serbia to “gradually” support sanctions against Russia

The European Union has again called on Serbia to align its positions with the bloc regarding Russia and to engage constructively in dialogue with Kosovo.

Serbia has condemned Russian aggression, but has not imposed sanctions on Moscow, as the EU has done.

“At a time of unprovoked and unjustified Russian aggression against Ukraine, a sovereign and independent state, we expect Serbia, as a candidate country that is negotiating membership, to gradually adapt to EU positions, including declarations and restrictive measures, in line with the EU-Serbia negotiating framework “, said in a joint statement on behalf of the EU, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi.

Two senior EU officials have hailed the massive turnout in the April 3rd elections in Serbia, but have warned of some irregularities, especially due to the favoring of the ruling party, the Serbian Progressive Party.

The presidential election, according to preliminary results, was won by the current president, Aleksandar Vucic, while the parliamentary elections were won by Vucic’s party, the Serbian Progressive Party.

Borrell and Varhelyi have called for these observations of international observers to be taken into account.

“The EU expects to engage with the next president and government to advance Serbia’s strategic decision to join the EU. “We encourage Serbia to demonstrate real and tangible results, especially in the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Kosovo through the facilitated dialogue by the EU, which determines the overall dynamics of the accession negotiation process.” Borrell and Varhely.

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The EU has called on Serbia to make progress and deepen judicial reforms, in the fight against organized crime and corruption, in the area of ​​media freedom, and in prosecuting war crimes cases before local courts.

“We count on a constructive commitment by Serbia in advancing reconciliation and good neighborliness, as well as regional co-operation as a whole,” the statement said.

Kosovo and Serbia since 2011 hold a dialogue for the normalization of relations with the mediation of the European Union. This process, according to Kosovo, should end with an agreement focused on mutual recognition.