Belgrade’s Reactions to European Commission Report

BELGRADE(BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV/MO)

Thinly Veiled Dissatisfaction

The authorities in Belgrade are visibly dissatisfied with the European Commission’s latest report on Serbia’s progress. Key Serbian officials, from President Aleksandar Vucic to the line ministers, are striving for restraint in official statements and in contacts with European Union representatives, but when addressing the public at home their act is much tougher. In his first reaction to the report, Vucic said that it contained “true things,” but also “political” ones, pointing out that the part pertaining to the economy was more favorable because “there are no lies and cheating when it’s about numbers.” He thereby reproached Brussels for political bias and made it clear how unhappy he was.