EC urges Serbia to impose sanctions against Russia to join the EU
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To join the EU, Serbia must impose sanctions against Russia, said European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Oliver Vargelyi.
According to him, Belgrade needs to first carry out the necessary reforms, as well as send “clear signals” to the EU. “I can’t hide the fact that Russian aggression in Ukraine also affects the accession process, progress in the rule of law is key, but this is not enough. Coordination with the EU’s foreign policy is more important than before,” Vargelyi stressed (quote according to TASS).
The European Commissioner also noted that Serbia should be on the side of the EU and help to carry out the sanctions in the designated way.
The process of Serbia’s accession to the EU began in 2005, when the country was part of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. After Montenegro held an independence referendum and seceded from the union, Serbia continued negotiations with the EU on its own. In 2008 Belgrade and the EU signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement, in 2009 Serbia applied to join the bloc.
In September, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic declaredthat the country is not going to impose sanctions against Russia, which supported Belgrade in the UN and other international organizations. Serbia continues to be guided by its own interests and pursue a “complicated policy,” he added.
Earlier, the EU countries have repeatedly criticized the Serbian authorities for their unwillingness to join the sanctions against Russia. In June, MEPs adopted a resolution requiring Belgrade to join the EU sanctions.
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