EP rapporteur expects Serbia to maintain pro-EU orientation

EP rapporteur expects Serbia to maintain pro-EU orientation

"From the historical viewpoint, President Putin's visit to Belgrade is understandable. Liberation Day is marked in remembrance of October 20, 1944, when the German Nazis withdrew from Belgrade when faced with the Yugoslav Partisans and the Red Army," McAllister told Deutsche Welle.

It is completely understandable that this is an important date for people in Serbia, he said.

At the same time, officials, not only in Brussels, but also in Washington, underline that the idea according to which 4,500 Serbian troops salute President Putin is not something that the NATO and EU look favorably upon, he said.

Despite this, he voiced the expectation that Serbia would maintain its pro-EU orientation, and that a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis will remain the EU's priority.

McAllister also voiced his regret over the incident that took place during the European qualifier between Serbia and Albania in Belgrade on Tuesday evening, and noted that it illustrates that the reconciliation process in the region has to include not only authorities, but also civil society and the entire people.

Commenting on the announcements from Brussels that there will be no enlargement in the next five years, he said that Serbia can join the EU when it is ready, although it is clear that no candidate country is now ready for such a step.

The country is on the right track, but has a lot yet to do, said the MEP of Germany's ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Serbia made its choice to join the EU, and the EU has to remain committed to its enlargement policy, he underscored, adding that the process is about progress, and not dates.

McAllister also said that, in his capacity as rapporteur, he will visit Serbia in November so as to get to know the situation first-hand, and that he is most likely to submit the first report in February or March.

Speaking about the alignment of Serbia's foreign policy, McAllister said that Belgrade has slowed down the harmonization process this year, but must do that in the long run.

"For now, there is no hint that Serbia could join the EU's measures against Russia over the Ukraine crisis. I understand that Serbia has special, not only political, but also economic, and especially energy relations with Russia," he said.