Czech Ambassador: Sanctions against Russia currently Biggest Challenge on Serbia’s EU Path

Tomas Kuchta /BETAPHOTO/AMIR HAMZAGIC

The ambassador of the Czech Republic to Serbia, Tomas Kuchta, has said that imposition of sanctions against Russia is the biggest challenge on Serbia’s EU path, adding he believes that it should not be linked with the country’s further progress and opening of new clusters in accession talks.  

“At the current geopolitical moment, the biggest challenge is definitely imposition of sanctions against Russia. It is something expected from Serbia as Serbia, as an EU candidate country, should align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU,” the ambassador said in an interview with BETA.

Ambassador Kuchta said that the Czech Republic backed the opening of Cluster 3 (competitiveness and inclusive growth), adding Prague had suggested that an inter-governmental conference be held in December.

“The Czech Republic as the presiding country of the EU Council can only coordinate positions and we will do everything in our power for the cluster to be opened. The Czech Republic does not link it with sanctions against Russia, but I think that some countries do,” Ambassador Kuchta said.  

Noting that Serbia had achieved certain progress in certain fields, such as the judiciary and freedom of the media, although “certain things need to be completed,” Kuchta said that the achieved progress should be assessed in the latest report of the European Commission, which would be presented on Oct. 12.