EU Commissioner: Not Introducing Sanctions against Russia Not a Reason to Stop Negotiations with Serbia

Oliver Varhelyi (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

European Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said in the European Parliament on Feb. 14 that the European Union expected Serbia to introduce sanctions against Russia, but that Serbia not doing so could not be a reason to halt accession talks.

In reply to a question posed by an MEP, Varhelyi said that, while the EU expected Serbia to align with the its foreign and security policy, meaning introduce sanctions against Russia, Serbia not doing so could not be a reason to stop negotiations. Varhelyi said that the EU had kindly asked Serbia to be on its side and harmonize its foreign and security policies with the EU's, the N1 TV station reported.

Acknowledging that for many member states this was a requirement of paramount importance, Varhelyi said the negotiating framework and new methodology did not list alignment with foreign and security policy as a negotiation-ending criterion. He noted that this would be a last resort, and said he hoped Serbia understood how important alignment was and would change its stance