Giaufret: We Want Serbia To Join Unified EU Stance on Russia

Emanuele Giaufret (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

The chief of the EU Delegation in Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, stated on June 28 that the war in Ukraine had made the enlargement process an even more important geostrategic priority and that the Union wanted the Western Balkan countries to join its unified stance towards Russia's aggression, including the sanctions.

"Now more than ever, enlargement in the Western Balkans represents an investment into peace, prosperity and long-term stability on the European continent. That is why European leaders want to incentivize this process, to everyone according to merit, when the conditions are met," Giaufret said at the conference "Lighthouse of a Better Balkans – the First 25 Years of the BCSP."

While stating that Russia was weaponizing food and energy sources, Giaufret said that the Western Balkans shared the problems of EU members and that the Union was counting on the region's countries.

"We have unanimously adopted six sanction packages against Russia, although that is partly affecting the EU citizens, but we are doing that to secure peace, prosperity and security on the European continent. We wish the Western Balkan countries to join this, including Serbia. We wish to jointly condemn Russia's aggression on Ukraine in international forums," Giaufret stated.