AFET: Serbia’s Progress on the Path to EU Depends on Relationship with Russia

European Parliament (Photo:Print Screen You Tube)

Belgrade’s position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine might affect Serbia’s accession to the European Union (EU), the European Commission’s official, Michael Miller, said before the European Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET).

During a debate on the European Parliament’s draft resolution urging Serbia to align its foreign policy with the Union’s decisions and views, including one to introduce sanctions against Russia, Miller said that the progress Serbia should make in accession negotiations with the EU depended on the rule of law and dialogue with Pristina, but also on whether the country would impose sanctions against Russia, the Radio Free Europe reported.

“The geopolitical context has evolved considerably, and Serbia’s position on Russian aggression against Ukraine will be a vital element to be discussed. Serbia is aware of the EU expectation of alignment, including restrictive measures (against Russia),” says the head of the Commission’s unit for Serbia and Montenegro.

The European Parliament’s envoy for Serbia, Vladimir Bilcik, spoke at the same session along similar lines, suggesting that a failure to introduce sanctions against Russia might have consequences for Serbia. Bilcik said he hoped that Belgrade would align its policy with the EU’s decisions against Moscow.