German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz “clear and sharp” during his visit to Serbia requested From Belgrade he will participate in EU sanctions against Russia. This was announced on Friday (June 10th) by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at a joint press conference after meeting with a German politician.
“Chancellor Scholz very openly and sharply demanded that Serbia join the sanctions against the Russian Federation, ie. To support the restrictive measures already put in place by the EU against Russia.
I talked about our position, specific The situation around Kosovo and Metohijaon energy and traditional relations with the Russian Federation. Crucially, we talked about the coming winter, I briefed Chancellor Scholz about all the challenges and problems we are facing today. Olaf Scholz was very kind and fair and offered absolute help in finding a solution to the crisis we feel every day and only face. TASS Vucic’s words.
Scholz, in turn, pointed to “the EU’s general line towards other countries, including Russia.” He noted that states planning to join the European Union should take this into account.
Recall that in 2012 Serbia received the status of official candidate country to join the European Union. According to Vučić, European integration is in Belgrade’s interest, but progress in this direction should not be expected in the near future.
“Kosovo is on our side”
The German Chancellor met with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti earlier on Friday. Scholz said that by imposing sanctions against the Russian Federation, it shows that the officials of the partially recognized republic “stand on our side in the international community.”
He also pointed out that the integration of Serbia and Kosovo into the EU is impossible without the mutual recognition of Belgrade and Pristina.
Kosovo, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, is still waiting for EU candidate status. “After meeting with Scholz on Friday, Kurti announced that he would formally apply to join the EU at the end of 2022. According to him, he hopes for the support of the EU, ”the newspaper writes. Bietigheimer Zeitung.
How did the Balkan countries spoil Lavrov’s visit to Belgrade?
According to the newspaper, Serbia wants to become a member of the EU, but maintains friendly relations with Russia.
Vučić, whom Scholz met in Belgrade, originally wanted to host Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at his palace earlier this week. The visit was unsuccessful because neighboring countries refused Lavrov uses airspace,” he says on the air.
The Bietigheimer Zeitung states that the EU is now calling on Serbia more and more openly to prove itself.
“Close relations with the Putin regime are no longer compatible with building a common future with the EU,” said Josep Borrell, head of European diplomacy.
Scholz made a similar statement after meeting with Vučić, concluding that “the way to Europe is the way to Europe”.
“Putin complicates Belgrade’s position”
Let’s add that Vucic and Scholz met in Germany at the beginning of May. Then the Serbian leader statedHe said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks about analogies of the situation in Kosovo and Donbass complicates Belgrade’s position.
“Our position is difficult, very complex, and further complicated by President Putin’s statements. “It’s never been this hard politically, and I’m afraid it’s never been harder with everything that’s ahead of us economically,” he said.
On April 26, the Russian leader met with the UN Secretary General. Reminding especially the decision of the International Court of Justice that “everyone supports the situation in Kosovo”, Guterres said, “LPR and DPR have become independent by being likened to this decision.” Therefore, according to Putin, Russia had the right to recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and to provide them with military assistance.