Thewesternbalkans
Following an information from the European Union External Action, High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Đurić in Brussels on Wednesday (July 17).
During the meeting they reiterated their commitment to Serbia’s EU path and looked forward to the continued implementation of EU-related reforms. They also agreed on the need to enhance cooperation in Common Foreign and Security Policy.
HR/VP Borrell underlined the importance of Serbia’s alignment with EU positions and decisions in the area of foreign and security policy, including in the context of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. The HR/VP stressed the EU’s strong expectation of Serbia to step up its efforts towards full alignment, including with restrictive measures. Full alignment is key for an EU candidate country to demonstrate its strategic orientation and progress toward EU membership. HR/VP Borrell took a positive note of the support provided by Serbia to Ukraine and its people. He welcomed Serbia’s continued, high-quality contributions to the EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations. The High Representative and the Foreign Minister discussed the importance of intensifying political dialogue and exchanges between the EU and Serbia.
High Representative Borrell reiterated that the EU expects both Kosovo and Serbia to engage in the EU-facilitated Dialogue in good faith and in a spirit of compromise, and to conclude it without delay with a comprehensive, legally binding agreement on normalisation of relations in accordance with the EU acquis and international law. Top priority is to move forward with the implementation of the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation of relations. HR/VP Borrell recalled that Kosovo’s and Serbia’s respective European path goes through the Dialogue.
Comments: There is a Serbian offensive directed to the EU. Minister Đurić and the leaving his post HR/VP Josep Borel had a meeting which is much more useful for Belgrade. Serbian Government received a very important message directly from the source about the red lines of the European Commission on the future negotiations for Serbia’s membership in the EU.
Josep Borel is leaving, but most probably Kaja Kallas is coming and she will be stronger about the full alignment to European Common Security and Defence Policy, including with restrictive measures against Russia.
