EU anger at Jeremić stance

Good for Jeremic. The reality of Serbia’s relationship with the EU actually lies somewhere between the supine compliance of the pro-European liberals and the brainless demonology of the nationalists. It’s reassuring that the Foreign Minister clearly realises this and he should take the indignant squeals from Brussels and beyond as proof that he is pursuing a coherent and effective policy in Serbia’s best interests.

Surely this is something to celebrate. There was cause for anger when people were getting murdered. There is no cause for anger now.

If the EU is getting told off for not rewarding the good work - that is probably because they are already forgetting what came previously.

Serbia is out of the past where it could be treated like a pariah - it is right that it is acknowledged that the path to the EU is unstoppable.

Jeremic must not be hounded by the EU or others. He is doing a good job, and if he happens to rattle a few cages that is probably a healthy thing. Contrast him with what came before and EU politicians should throw out their arms and embrace him happily (even if he should do some work on that accent).

Jeremic is just speaking the truth, the EU is playing games with Serbia, if it is not one of the member countries it is another who is on the payroll with Pristina. Serbia gives a inch the EU wants a mile. It is always something with the EU. One day it is going to bite them in the ass.

The EU don't like to be criticized they are full of them selfs they think the world revolves around them and their hypocritical policies and politicians. They think peoples should be on their knees kissing theire feet. Taking any nonsense coming from their mouths believing it is the fact and implementing them to the determent of other country's freedoms and rights. What a pitiful bunch of self serving indignations EU politicians are and the same capitals they represent Paris ,Berlin ,Rome etc. Don,t kid your selfs that they are fore anything but fore them selfs and their country's and how to exploit weaker smaller nations for their benefit. History is very clear who they are what they have done time after time!

Jeremic just wants to know where the “carrot” is, he’s seen enough “stick”…

Reality is the “pro-West” government was barely elected, it was very close. Unless the EU delivers on at least some of their promises of “carrots”, public opinion will change and the West will regret not having listened to someone as reasonable as Jeremic…

@PRN

if I were you I would care about your "Kosovarian prime minister" (LOL).
BND is already investigating...

There are many reasons why countries already in the EU joined up. For many it was access to generous financial support. Within the old “western” Europe, countries like Spain, Portugal and Ireland all benefited massively by European grants and subsidies. Spain now has one of the most modern infrastructures in the world, much of it funded by EU. This has helped Spain become a much more prosperous country; one than no longer needs subsidies. Same goes for Ireland.

The last time I was in Belgrade we drove overland going through Hungary. You can tell where the border is just by the sudden reduction in the quality of roads, lighting etc. Hungary has benefited from EU support and has used that money wisely in improvements to infrastructure. Remember the time when the tables were turned and lower standards were seen in Hungary and Romania, compared to Serb/Yugo side of the border?

Come on guys, do you really want to keep out of the club that historically has provided financial aid to areas most in need. It’s ironic that some on this site see the EU as a capitalist machine – but it actually has quasi “socialist” policies of redistribution of wealth (where Serbia stands to benefit). This is why those on the right in Germany, UK, Denmark, etc want an end to these policies which they see as benefiting former eastern at the expense of former western.

Mircea,

you as a romanian should be very,very,very quiet about that.
If standards were in play bulgaria and Romania wouldn`t see the Eu for years to come...

If you don't want to be part of the EU, you are at liberty to say so. We cannot give Serbia a shortcut for messing up the Balkans.

Why the long face Jeremic?

From all the bombarded "illegal" and "fake" state of Kosovo I honestly started to believe the propaganda. I guess no matter how many times you scream something, it doesn't make it true, this is the lesson Jermic has taught us.

Soon Jeremic will be banned from travelling to EU and the USA.

Enough with those inciteful spechees...or perhaps you choose to not abandon Serbian tradition.

Serbia is still asking for more trouble.

Remember: NATO is still at stand-by.

The countries in the Western Balkans must meet all the conditions before joining the EU.
(Mircea, 5 December 2008 20:03)

So, you're suggesting the Romanian example, eh?
I can recall a friend of mine telling me of a EU meeting, when the Romanians (and Bulgarians) were telling the others how corrupt the Western Balkan countries were, while the rest of partecipants were doing their best not to burst out in Life-of-Brian-like laughing.

After all the Balkan people have an excellent sin of humour and self-evaluation, unless they are in politics!
But, form the above comment, I would be very sorry if losing that were the EU price to pay for common people.

The sooner all are in (not unconditioned, of course), the better.

"Of late, Jeremić’s stinging criticism of the EU and the U.S. has reportedly prompted indignation among EU member-state ministers and ambassadors, though none have made their views public as yet."

We all have our Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons to deal with.........

Jeremic has sold KiM to Brussels in private and all these public protests are to give cover while EULEX takes over from UNMIK. EULEX is composed of countries who are not status neutral.

For Gabe:

I agree with you. Serbia should not be given a shortcut to EU membership. The countries in the Western Balkans must meet all the conditions before joining the EU.

genc -- i read yr comment and understood it well enough; i myself make silly typos when tired. and i fully agree with the addendum -- humor is NOT a sin. most of us here (incl myself) are a bit too full of ourselves and our POINTS, and a little humor can be a nice counterpoint as long as it isn't too nasty.

viva friday nite!!

xxx robertto
frisco

Rather be poor and free.
Then wealthy, but enslaved.

Most people here and elsewhere in the world have not a clue what it is going on within the countries of the EU. The EU is steadily increasing its speed towards a totalitarian state. As I am a citizen living within the EU, I can say that new propositions for integrity supressing laws and such alike, are being writen and poprosed on a regular basis. Wich is alarming indeed. The last 6 month's we've had some very concerning laws passed on here in the EU memberstate of Sweden, without ANY regards to the peoples wishes. If you do not believe me, I would suggest that you start googling, educate yourself, and see what is really happening behind this democratic charade, the EU.

I do hope that the people of my country, do cherish and remember that materialism and a higher living standard is not worth giving up your integrity and freedom for.

Therefor I applause this man, Jeremic. We certainly need more politicans like him.

Just a correction to #16: "sense of humour", not "sin of humour" Humour can never be a sin. I was just thinking in German, it's Friday evening, tired. sorry. Thank you.

What on earth did Jeremic expect? The EU has always been long on promises, short on delivery when it comes to Serbia.

But then again those are the kinds of people Tadic has.

They have nothing to offer the Serbian people apart from EU 'membership', so however often EU promises are shown to be little more than warm words, the alternative is Tadic and co. being cast into the political wilderness.

Jeremic is just as bad as those he criticizes. Words, but no action. The 'best politics' that the EU has bought in Serbia, myopic, subservient and just plain stupid (i.e. falling for the same old tricks that even dogs learn from).

Soon Jeremic will be banned from travelling to EU and the USA.

Enough with those inciteful spechees...or perhaps you choose to not abandon Serbian tradition.

Serbia is still asking for more trouble.

Remember: NATO is still at stand-by.

If you don't want to be part of the EU, you are at liberty to say so. We cannot give Serbia a shortcut for messing up the Balkans.

Why the long face Jeremic?

From all the bombarded "illegal" and "fake" state of Kosovo I honestly started to believe the propaganda. I guess no matter how many times you scream something, it doesn't make it true, this is the lesson Jermic has taught us.

Good for Jeremic. The reality of Serbia’s relationship with the EU actually lies somewhere between the supine compliance of the pro-European liberals and the brainless demonology of the nationalists. It’s reassuring that the Foreign Minister clearly realises this and he should take the indignant squeals from Brussels and beyond as proof that he is pursuing a coherent and effective policy in Serbia’s best interests.

Surely this is something to celebrate. There was cause for anger when people were getting murdered. There is no cause for anger now.

If the EU is getting told off for not rewarding the good work - that is probably because they are already forgetting what came previously.

Serbia is out of the past where it could be treated like a pariah - it is right that it is acknowledged that the path to the EU is unstoppable.

Jeremic must not be hounded by the EU or others. He is doing a good job, and if he happens to rattle a few cages that is probably a healthy thing. Contrast him with what came before and EU politicians should throw out their arms and embrace him happily (even if he should do some work on that accent).

For Gabe:

I agree with you. Serbia should not be given a shortcut to EU membership. The countries in the Western Balkans must meet all the conditions before joining the EU.

Jeremic is just speaking the truth, the EU is playing games with Serbia, if it is not one of the member countries it is another who is on the payroll with Pristina. Serbia gives a inch the EU wants a mile. It is always something with the EU. One day it is going to bite them in the ass.

What on earth did Jeremic expect? The EU has always been long on promises, short on delivery when it comes to Serbia.

But then again those are the kinds of people Tadic has.

They have nothing to offer the Serbian people apart from EU 'membership', so however often EU promises are shown to be little more than warm words, the alternative is Tadic and co. being cast into the political wilderness.

Jeremic is just as bad as those he criticizes. Words, but no action. The 'best politics' that the EU has bought in Serbia, myopic, subservient and just plain stupid (i.e. falling for the same old tricks that even dogs learn from).

There are many reasons why countries already in the EU joined up. For many it was access to generous financial support. Within the old “western” Europe, countries like Spain, Portugal and Ireland all benefited massively by European grants and subsidies. Spain now has one of the most modern infrastructures in the world, much of it funded by EU. This has helped Spain become a much more prosperous country; one than no longer needs subsidies. Same goes for Ireland.

The last time I was in Belgrade we drove overland going through Hungary. You can tell where the border is just by the sudden reduction in the quality of roads, lighting etc. Hungary has benefited from EU support and has used that money wisely in improvements to infrastructure. Remember the time when the tables were turned and lower standards were seen in Hungary and Romania, compared to Serb/Yugo side of the border?

Come on guys, do you really want to keep out of the club that historically has provided financial aid to areas most in need. It’s ironic that some on this site see the EU as a capitalist machine – but it actually has quasi “socialist” policies of redistribution of wealth (where Serbia stands to benefit). This is why those on the right in Germany, UK, Denmark, etc want an end to these policies which they see as benefiting former eastern at the expense of former western.

@PRN

if I were you I would care about your "Kosovarian prime minister" (LOL).
BND is already investigating...

"Of late, Jeremić’s stinging criticism of the EU and the U.S. has reportedly prompted indignation among EU member-state ministers and ambassadors, though none have made their views public as yet."

We all have our Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons to deal with.........

Jeremic just wants to know where the “carrot” is, he’s seen enough “stick”…

Reality is the “pro-West” government was barely elected, it was very close. Unless the EU delivers on at least some of their promises of “carrots”, public opinion will change and the West will regret not having listened to someone as reasonable as Jeremic…

The EU don't like to be criticized they are full of them selfs they think the world revolves around them and their hypocritical policies and politicians. They think peoples should be on their knees kissing theire feet. Taking any nonsense coming from their mouths believing it is the fact and implementing them to the determent of other country's freedoms and rights. What a pitiful bunch of self serving indignations EU politicians are and the same capitals they represent Paris ,Berlin ,Rome etc. Don,t kid your selfs that they are fore anything but fore them selfs and their country's and how to exploit weaker smaller nations for their benefit. History is very clear who they are what they have done time after time!

Jeremic has sold KiM to Brussels in private and all these public protests are to give cover while EULEX takes over from UNMIK. EULEX is composed of countries who are not status neutral.

Mircea,

you as a romanian should be very,very,very quiet about that.
If standards were in play bulgaria and Romania wouldn`t see the Eu for years to come...

genc -- i read yr comment and understood it well enough; i myself make silly typos when tired. and i fully agree with the addendum -- humor is NOT a sin. most of us here (incl myself) are a bit too full of ourselves and our POINTS, and a little humor can be a nice counterpoint as long as it isn't too nasty.

viva friday nite!!

xxx robertto
frisco

Rather be poor and free.
Then wealthy, but enslaved.

Most people here and elsewhere in the world have not a clue what it is going on within the countries of the EU. The EU is steadily increasing its speed towards a totalitarian state. As I am a citizen living within the EU, I can say that new propositions for integrity supressing laws and such alike, are being writen and poprosed on a regular basis. Wich is alarming indeed. The last 6 month's we've had some very concerning laws passed on here in the EU memberstate of Sweden, without ANY regards to the peoples wishes. If you do not believe me, I would suggest that you start googling, educate yourself, and see what is really happening behind this democratic charade, the EU.

I do hope that the people of my country, do cherish and remember that materialism and a higher living standard is not worth giving up your integrity and freedom for.

Therefor I applause this man, Jeremic. We certainly need more politicans like him.

The countries in the Western Balkans must meet all the conditions before joining the EU.
(Mircea, 5 December 2008 20:03)

So, you're suggesting the Romanian example, eh?
I can recall a friend of mine telling me of a EU meeting, when the Romanians (and Bulgarians) were telling the others how corrupt the Western Balkan countries were, while the rest of partecipants were doing their best not to burst out in Life-of-Brian-like laughing.

After all the Balkan people have an excellent sin of humour and self-evaluation, unless they are in politics!
But, form the above comment, I would be very sorry if losing that were the EU price to pay for common people.

The sooner all are in (not unconditioned, of course), the better.

Just a correction to #16: "sense of humour", not "sin of humour" Humour can never be a sin. I was just thinking in German, it's Friday evening, tired. sorry. Thank you.