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I nonetheless recall the enjoyment when on 1 March, 2012, Serbia was granted candidate standing for the EU.
Instantly after the choice of the EU leaders, the European Integration Council of Serbia organised a rare session celebrating this landmark second.
The EU’s flag flew subsequent to the nationwide one on the parliament and outdoors authorities buildings. The trail towards European integration was lastly open.
It took greater than 11 years after the top of the Milošević regime and the arrival of the primary democratic, pro-European authorities, led by Zoran Djindjić, to succeed in that time, and it might take one other 3 years till the accession course of would really get underway.
However the accession course of has slowed down.
Essentially the most essential chapters for the democratic reforms of the nation (23 and 24) are nonetheless removed from being opened, as can be the case with Chapter 31 on alignment with EU’s overseas and safety insurance policies.
Our European dream additionally has been critically endangered by geopolitical tensions, and Russian aggression in opposition to Ukraine has difficult issues additional.
These of us who’re assured {that a} European, democratic Serbia continues to be the best choice for each have tried to persuade our interlocutors that European integration mustn’t stay a completely shifting goal — however an actual likelihood.
With out the prospect of accession, there may be additional geopolitical shifts in our area that may additional deepen the hole between pro- and anti-Europeans in Serbia producing additional regional instability.
We’re usually informed we’re incorrect to advocate for European integration by issuing warnings that — with out the prospect of EU membership — there’s an elevated likelihood of instability within the instant neighbourhood.
However our warnings have usually confirmed right.
It additionally should be stated that Serbians reply positively to Europe each time there’s robust EU assist for Serbia, for instance, with visa liberalisation, with Serbian candidate standing, and with Serbian involvement in managing migration through the Balkan route.
When, then again, the EU is absent, like firstly of the Covid-19 outbreak, Russia and China have stepped in with shipments of masks and vaccines, in a type of pandemic diplomacy.
The hole widens with Europe when Russia and China take the lead in backing Serbian territorial integrity and when China is seen bringing massive new funding.
To make certain the EU and its member states stay an important financial and political companions of Serbia and the Western Balkans.
However each time the EU and its member states rebuff accession, as was the case for Albania and Northern Macedonia in 2019, Serbians lose a few of their religion within the accession course of, too.
True, Serbia did not be a part of the sanctions in opposition to Russia for its battle of aggression in Ukraine, and we perceive how that was seen in Brussels and different capitals.
But Serbia additionally provided assist for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and Serbia additionally voted in favour of the decision of the UN Basic Meeting that condemned the Russian invasion.
There are nonetheless near 50 % of Serbian residents who imagine that Serbia ought to evolve democratically, with rule of legislation, full respect for human and minority rights and free media, throughout the European household.
EU membership is the one dream generally shared among the many international locations of the Western Balkans.
That dream stays the easiest way forwards for regional cooperation and for overcoming mutual distrust, bilateral tensions, and conflicts.
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