EU Commissioner: Serbia's Ties with Russia Jeopardize EU Accession
Date
5/23/2023 3:19:33 AM
(MENAFN) During a meeting in Brussels, Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy commissioner, expressed concerns that Serbia's close ties with Russia could hinder its prospects of joining the European Union. Borrell urged Belgrade to align itself with the European Union's sanctions against Moscow to demonstrate its commitment to the European integration process.
Hosted by Borrell, the meeting included foreign ministers from Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, a breakaway province of Serbia. Borrell called on these countries to follow Ukraine's example by making swift progress in their efforts to join the European Union.
The discussion focused on Russia's influence in the region and its potential to obstruct the European aspirations of Western Balkan candidates. Borrell commended the strategic and courageous choices made by some countries in fully aligning with the European Union's foreign policy and sanctions. Notably, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have already joined the European Union's embargo, while Bosnia-Herzegovina has yet to do so. Serbia also remains outside the scope of the sanctions.
In a direct reference to Serbia, Borrell emphasized that maintaining close ties with Russia is incompatible with Serbia's path towards European Union accession. He emphasized that such ties not only run counter to Serbia's national interests but also impede its progress in the European Union accession process.
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