Vucic: Entire Western Balkans Should Join EU or Sources of Conflict Will Remain

Aleksandar Vucic (BETAPHOTO/Predsednistvo Srbije/Dimitrije Goll)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in Belgrade on Nov. 21 that the entire Western Balkans should become a part of the European Union, as the accession of only parts of the region would mean the creation of potential sources of conflict in the future.

Vucic told Informer that Serbia "has a good opportunity to speed up its European path" and that his wish "isn't for Serbia to join alone or ahead of anyone, but for the entire Western Balkans to join [the EU] together." He said the EU accession of all Western Balkan countries would mean open borders across the region and that this would solidify peace. He reiterated the well-known position that EU accession was "always a solely political decision," adding that Serbia was "structurally readier" for membership than some that were ahead of it on the path tot the EU.

Vucic said a proposal to lift EU sanctions against Kosovo received the most support from Croatia and Slovenia, while Hungary and France opposed it. He said that "the Croats, followed by the Slovenians, were the biggest champions" of the proposal that was recently presented at a EU foreign ministers' meeting by High Representative Kaja Kallas, "in order to help [Kosovo Premier Albin] Kurti ahead of the Dec. 28 elections."

Vucic said Croatia had "a doctrinal strategy for undermining the Serbian state," but that he wished "them all the best." He went on to say that removing him from power was Croatia's "priority" and that the reason was that "they believe" that he is "the worst thing for Croatia's long-term interests to have ever appeared." He added that that "implies that I am the best thing for Serbia."