EU official "concerned" over Serbian presidential elections

EU official "concerned" over Serbian presidential elections

"I have a certain understanding, but on the other hand, no one should go too far, and that is also the reason I am a little worried because of the upcoming presidential elections (in 2017). From what I've heard about who will take part, there is a risk of the strengthening of nationalists, and populist rhetoric certainly does not help," Hahn told Radio Free Europe (RFE).

Asked to comment on "the Russian propaganda in the Balkans," Hahn said he was always concerned when a country is turning away from its own interests.

"People need to see the additional values of European involvement, and sometimes even the sacrifices that must be made for it, because, after all, Europe is by far the largest donor in the region, directly and indirectly, much bigger than Russia," Hahn said, stressing that "often people do not see these efforts of the EU, and see it as a bloc that is always demanding something and is restrictive."

Therefore, he added, the EU needs to change its strategy, its way of communication and of the realization of certain projects.

"People in the region know exactly where they want to go. Probably because of that we are forced to speak more, and more loudly about what we do. We need to choose a number of visible projects," said Hahn.

He added that Russia "should be interested in having a strong Western Balkans as an attractive market and an important player."

Speaking about the fight against corruption in Kosovo and throughout the Western Balkans, Hahn said that "in many countries it is less about the quality of police work, and more about the ability and willingness to put corruption on trial and sentence it."

"This is important not only for Kosovo, but also for other countries where people need to show that corruption does not pay, but the opposite: that it is penalized," said Hahn, according to a Beta agency report, quoting RFE.

Commenting on the recent events in Montenegro where the assassination of Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic was allegedly planned, Hahn said that "everything must be clarified in a transparent manner, in accordance with the law" an if it is determined that a criminal offense had taken place, the case should have its concllusion in a judicial process.

He also said it was "yet another example which shows that Montenegro still has a lot of work to do - but the EU must recognize its clear commitment to a Euro-Atlantic perspective."

"Obviously this is not something everyone shares," said Hahn, adding that Montenegro "should be rewarded because unlike other countries, it has adjusted its foreign policy with the EU."