French ambassador: Serbia welcome in EU

The ambassador was polite; he was leaving and did not want his guests to be offended. He should have told Tadic and his hosts that life would be easier if Serbia would comply to its obligations: defere all its war criminal to The Hague, especially Mladic and Karadzic.

It should be made clear that Serbia has no place in Europe as long as its obligations are not fulfilled.

Victor, don't confuse Europe, the geographical continent from which, despite your wishesr Serbia has an immovable presence in and the European Union (EU).

The Hague situation is what he was probably alluding to with his mention of "you will go through some difficult times".

Dear Victor,
Whether you like it or not Serbia IS part of Europe. Even after WWII, Germany never ceased being part of Europe and the Allies had a strategical interest in rebuilding her. This can be related to Serbia. A stable Serbia which is democratic is a common interest for us all!!

Serbia will never be welcome in the EU as was made plain by the German ambassodor who said Serbia might be ready for EU accession in 2020-25. We share the same fate as Turkey with regards the EU.

Of course the French would be particularly happy to use Serbia's market for dumping cheap exports and its population for low-wage labour. (That goes for the entire Balkans)

Its upsetting that this kind of "welcome" is being advocated, in a clear attempt to fool Serbia and its citizens. I prefer the climate where Serbia is blamed for all of the problems in the Balkans. I have often thought it would be better for Serbia if Kosovo became independent with the support of such countries like France- so as to alienate its citizens from this newest form of imperialism.

Just for the sake of discussion: Has it ever occurred to anyone that Serbia might be a lot better off staying OUT of the EU?

Let's remember Switzerland, that remained neutral. Serbia is a country rich in natural resources and energy sources. Serbia is a country with a strong cultural identity. Serbia could have a strong independent banking system, like Switzerland.

It could also control immigration by staying out of the EU. It could retain control of its tax base and autonomy. It could control its laws and environment.

Look, why not stay OUT of the EU. In years to come it might be a gigantic blessing.

Everyone assumes that EU membership is automatically desirable. Is that true?

@PB.

No, you are wrong.

Turkey is in Asia, Serbia isn't.

Serbia not being in the EU leaves a huge hole in the EU's balkan policy. It also bad strategically for NATO that Serbia isn't accepted either.

If the EU & US proceed to shove one-sided solutions down Serbia's throat, then goodbye PFP (kick out NATO troops), cooperation on crime & terrorism (the Serbs know best what is going on in the region) and Kosovo should be declared an 'occupied territory'.

These are real instruments that Serbia can wield if they do not bluff.

The EU & US need a stable Serbia much more than a stable albania (which the US and EU has held the line for the last 15 years as a failing state) or Kosovo.

The only importance Kosovo (the kosovo albanian leadership) has is its threat to start more wars in the region (as Burns and others have recently commented) which would also upset EU & US efforts to stablize the region.

After all, which region contributes something positively economically to the region???

The threat of violence is a one trick pony. Rule no.1, always call their bluff.

As long as the EU & US refuse to put the kosovo albanian leadership under pressure, they will not discuss anything or compromise. So the ball is entirely in the EU & US' court.

mc2 has it right. when i was in greece last spring EVERYONE i met regretted joining the eu. prices skyrocketed, property became pricey and affordable mostly to foreigners. additionally it exploded the influx of foreign workers causing unease about the future cultural make-up of the country. the swiss model is a good one if the politicos are smart enough to follow it.

The ambassador was polite; he was leaving and did not want his guests to be offended. He should have told Tadic and his hosts that life would be easier if Serbia would comply to its obligations: defere all its war criminal to The Hague, especially Mladic and Karadzic.

It should be made clear that Serbia has no place in Europe as long as its obligations are not fulfilled.

Victor, don't confuse Europe, the geographical continent from which, despite your wishesr Serbia has an immovable presence in and the European Union (EU).

The Hague situation is what he was probably alluding to with his mention of "you will go through some difficult times".

Dear Victor,
Whether you like it or not Serbia IS part of Europe. Even after WWII, Germany never ceased being part of Europe and the Allies had a strategical interest in rebuilding her. This can be related to Serbia. A stable Serbia which is democratic is a common interest for us all!!

Serbia will never be welcome in the EU as was made plain by the German ambassodor who said Serbia might be ready for EU accession in 2020-25. We share the same fate as Turkey with regards the EU.

Of course the French would be particularly happy to use Serbia's market for dumping cheap exports and its population for low-wage labour. (That goes for the entire Balkans)

Its upsetting that this kind of "welcome" is being advocated, in a clear attempt to fool Serbia and its citizens. I prefer the climate where Serbia is blamed for all of the problems in the Balkans. I have often thought it would be better for Serbia if Kosovo became independent with the support of such countries like France- so as to alienate its citizens from this newest form of imperialism.

Just for the sake of discussion: Has it ever occurred to anyone that Serbia might be a lot better off staying OUT of the EU?

Let's remember Switzerland, that remained neutral. Serbia is a country rich in natural resources and energy sources. Serbia is a country with a strong cultural identity. Serbia could have a strong independent banking system, like Switzerland.

It could also control immigration by staying out of the EU. It could retain control of its tax base and autonomy. It could control its laws and environment.

Look, why not stay OUT of the EU. In years to come it might be a gigantic blessing.

Everyone assumes that EU membership is automatically desirable. Is that true?

@PB.

No, you are wrong.

Turkey is in Asia, Serbia isn't.

Serbia not being in the EU leaves a huge hole in the EU's balkan policy. It also bad strategically for NATO that Serbia isn't accepted either.

If the EU & US proceed to shove one-sided solutions down Serbia's throat, then goodbye PFP (kick out NATO troops), cooperation on crime & terrorism (the Serbs know best what is going on in the region) and Kosovo should be declared an 'occupied territory'.

These are real instruments that Serbia can wield if they do not bluff.

The EU & US need a stable Serbia much more than a stable albania (which the US and EU has held the line for the last 15 years as a failing state) or Kosovo.

The only importance Kosovo (the kosovo albanian leadership) has is its threat to start more wars in the region (as Burns and others have recently commented) which would also upset EU & US efforts to stablize the region.

After all, which region contributes something positively economically to the region???

The threat of violence is a one trick pony. Rule no.1, always call their bluff.

As long as the EU & US refuse to put the kosovo albanian leadership under pressure, they will not discuss anything or compromise. So the ball is entirely in the EU & US' court.

mc2 has it right. when i was in greece last spring EVERYONE i met regretted joining the eu. prices skyrocketed, property became pricey and affordable mostly to foreigners. additionally it exploded the influx of foreign workers causing unease about the future cultural make-up of the country. the swiss model is a good one if the politicos are smart enough to follow it.