Serbia's speedy EU accession – "illusion”

Serbia might join the EU in 2018.

Mircea, 9 February 2010 13:35)

By that time EU will stand for Evaporated Utopia.

2020 ..... will the EU itself still be around then?

“Even if Serbia manages to sail through the negotiations without the Kosovo issue being brought to a definitive solution, there can be no doubt that the countries recognizing Kosovo's independence will not give a green light for accession unless a Kosovo deal is struck. No one in the EU is ready to admit another Cyprus,” the analysis concludes


Is it more to say ? Recognize Kosovo or no EU for Serbia. That is the main condition wich serbs have to face.

Of course it's an illusion.

The whole talk of speedy membership is the yellows (Tadic) trying to stay in power.

This party has no solutions for our problems, and has had none since Djindjic died.

All they can do is talk, yeah join EU and everything will be fixed. Because our media is too complacent to point out that no it won't.

And Tadic knows that everytime there is an election or a chance of the government falling the EU will grant some concession to prevent his opponents from coming to power.

Oh yes, Brussels’ tried and trusted all stick and no carrot approach to Serbia’s EU accession bid. And a suggested entry date of 2020?! Really? Surely that’s a little premature. Hopefully by that time though, there’ll be no more wretched EU in existence for any unfortunate country to have to grovel for membership.

The arguments about joining the EU are so lame it’s laughable. So far I only see failure of a so called united Europe. The only country not in financial difficulty for now is Germany while the rest are basket cases to various degrees and this does not include the so called members from the former eastern block which are all bankrupt.

What exactly are you people aspiring to? The EU will not give you a thing unless you are prepared to WORK. I know it’s a four letter word but there is the secret to your success and unless you roll up your sleeves and work you will be in the same situation 50 years from now even if you do join the EU. There are no easy quick fixes which the pushers of this mythical land called the EU are touting.

First improve the living standards in Serbia then worry about joining the EU.

The article doesn't tell us anything we don't know already, let alone its onsided suppositions and guesstimates and qualified ifs and buts. It also completely ignores anything outside its strict interpretation with regards to Russia, the effect EU blackmail on Kosovo will have on public opinion and thus political stability in Serbia and Bosnia including the so called 'Stability Pact' not to mention the EU's other major projects in the region.

Serbia which is in a much stronger postion politically than it was only a few year ago and now has options when before it had none. It is really up to Europe/Brussel (whomever the article thinks this is) to 'loose' Serbia.

Considering the stupidity and fecklessness throughout the 1990s and onwards in balkan policy, it is not at all that unlikely.

Comparing Serbia to other failed entrants into the EU (Bg & Ro) is both facile and wrong.

The article as a techincal appraisal may be ok, but in absence of even touching upon the many relevant issues of which Serbia is at the center of the web, it should be taken with a pinch of salt.

It is a fools game to predict dates.

Do I detect voice of anger and resentment in this article "YES" -

Serbia does not need to be in Europe. She can become rich and powerful, and become an example of a shining leader for all in Europe!

This article confirms what I have been writing many times on this site.

Serbia might join the EU in 2018.

However, if Serbia encounters problems during the accession process then Serbia will join the EU in 2020.

2020 ..... will the EU itself still be around then?
(lowe, 9 February 2010 14:02)

By that time EU will stand for Evaporated Utopia.
(szemi, 9 February 2010 17:05)

I couldn't agree more with both postings.

Monetary union,political union,one nationality are all
parts of the same illusion.
People will always be known by where they come from.Not as Europeans but as French,Italians,Romanians etc.

Monetary union will never be achieved because the economy of each country is on a different curve and has its own peculiarities.

Political union could be imposed without the consent of the people.

"My calculation always seem right.

Serbia will join the EU in the 2020s after Kosovo, AND THAT if the latter allows it...
(PRN, 9 February 2010 15:57)"

And who says that "Kosova" will be allowed into the EU? And even if that highly unlikely event actually takes place I will be more right than your so-called "calculations" (I would call them wishful thinking) that "Kosova" will be in no position whatsoever to actually determine that. You are overrating your influence and power in a way that really makes you looks foolish. But hopefully by that time the EU will be another failed relic of history.

Always my point...2020 if everything is ok..never if Serbia decide to change governament...

Always my point...2020 if everything is ok..never if Serbia decide to change governament...
(Luigi, 9 February 2010, 13:18)
--
Music to my ears Luigi. Lets hope it's never.

Serbia should step into a federation with Russia, not the EU. Unless the Kosovo-theft is made undone.

Suggested year and mechanism of the process is realistic apart of single...

...problem: political status of Kosovo and Bosnia will finally block Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Albania and probably Montenegro for any kind of EU accession.

Balkan Gordian Knot will not be unties in the course of our lifetimes.

“Even if Serbia manages to sail through the negotiations without the Kosovo issue being brought to a definitive solution, there can be no doubt that the countries recognizing Kosovo's independence will not give a green light for accession unless a Kosovo deal is struck. No one in the EU is ready to admit another Cyprus,” the analysis concludes"

There you have it ladies and gentleman, without recognizing Kosovo, Serbia will never join EU.

Another interesting article brought by WAZ.EUobserver.com is this one, who of course Serbian media avoid publishing for not further damaging Tadic's Government.

"According to this website's sources, the note was addressed exclusively to Minister Jeremic and not to President Boris Tadic.

"We have tolerated until now the Serbian aggressive rhetoric regarding Kosovo, because we believed that with time passing it could be taken off the agenda. Our partners in Belgrade have told us that the statements of Minister Jeremic about Kosovo aimed to protect President Tadic from attack by Serbian nationalists, and the initiative to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on the Declaration of the independence was just a manoeuvre to remove Kosovo from the political agenda in Serbia. None of this seems to be the case and Kosovo continues to be a major political issue in Serbia," the note said.

My calculation always seem right.

Serbia will join the EU in the 2020s after Kosovo, AND THAT if the latter allows it...

I have to agree with Demi on this one. The choice for Serbia will be come into the EU and let Kosovo go OR you're not welcome. It'll be one or the other. Serbia will face a stark choice unless it receives an emphatic endorsement of it's position at the ICJ.

I forgot, of course, to mention Greece and the possibility of its financial implosion (who knows?).

Brussels is far less worried about the Serbian economy than some others in the Balkans. Stretching out the accession process may well hinder inward investment which is going in precisely because they expect Serbia to benefit from the EU. If there is less investement and then less jobs and less money etc., how is this good either for Serbia, the EU or its neighbors?

Austria has also been badly over exposed in the Balkans considering it was one of the first real investors when no other country would touch it with a barge pole.

As for 'Kosova' (WTF is that?) joining before Serbia, how is it Serbia will not allowed to join if it does not 'recognize' it yet it will be allowed to join before Serbia? Or don't EU rules apply for the albanians due to their so very special status??? Ridiculous.

And the signal all this would give to other aspiring states, Turkey, Ukraine etc??? To quote (more or less) the infuriating 'Vicky Pollard' character from tv show Little Britain "Yes, but no, but yes, but no but my friend Sharon goes awwwlllllllll the way with that Ricky".

Another interesting article brought by WAZ.EUobserver.com is this one, who of course Serbian media avoid publishing for not further damaging Tadic's Government.

"According to this website's sources, the note was addressed exclusively to Minister Jeremic and not to President Boris Tadic.

"We have tolerated until now the Serbian aggressive rhetoric regarding Kosovo, because we believed that with time passing it could be taken off the agenda. Our partners in Belgrade have told us that the statements of Minister Jeremic about Kosovo aimed to protect President Tadic from attack by Serbian nationalists, and the initiative to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on the Declaration of the independence was just a manoeuvre to remove Kosovo from the political agenda in Serbia. None of this seems to be the case and Kosovo continues to be a major political issue in Serbia," the note said.
(Pejoni, 9 February 2010 14:54)

yes, pejoni, and that article continues:

"The US and the top EU foreign policy players are becoming nervous about Mr Jeremic's lobbying activities in some countries around the world to get support for a plan to convene a special session of the UN General Assembly on the day when the ICJ makes its position on Kosovo independence known. "

so, they are "getting nervous" in addition to "losing patience", meaning their options as to how to deal with the situation are limited. i guess that part didn't fit into your world view, so you left it out. i highly doubt the article as a whole would put serbian government in bad light in the serbian public.

“Even if Serbia manages to sail through the negotiations without the Kosovo issue being brought to a definitive solution, there can be no doubt that the countries recognizing Kosovo's independence will not give a green light for accession unless a Kosovo deal is struck. No one in the EU is ready to admit another Cyprus,” the analysis concludes


Is it more to say ? Recognize Kosovo or no EU for Serbia. That is the main condition wich serbs have to face.

My calculation always seem right.

Serbia will join the EU in the 2020s after Kosovo, AND THAT if the latter allows it...

“Even if Serbia manages to sail through the negotiations without the Kosovo issue being brought to a definitive solution, there can be no doubt that the countries recognizing Kosovo's independence will not give a green light for accession unless a Kosovo deal is struck. No one in the EU is ready to admit another Cyprus,” the analysis concludes"

There you have it ladies and gentleman, without recognizing Kosovo, Serbia will never join EU.

Another interesting article brought by WAZ.EUobserver.com is this one, who of course Serbian media avoid publishing for not further damaging Tadic's Government.

"According to this website's sources, the note was addressed exclusively to Minister Jeremic and not to President Boris Tadic.

"We have tolerated until now the Serbian aggressive rhetoric regarding Kosovo, because we believed that with time passing it could be taken off the agenda. Our partners in Belgrade have told us that the statements of Minister Jeremic about Kosovo aimed to protect President Tadic from attack by Serbian nationalists, and the initiative to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on the Declaration of the independence was just a manoeuvre to remove Kosovo from the political agenda in Serbia. None of this seems to be the case and Kosovo continues to be a major political issue in Serbia," the note said.

Always my point...2020 if everything is ok..never if Serbia decide to change governament...
(Luigi, 9 February 2010, 13:18)
--
Music to my ears Luigi. Lets hope it's never.

Do I detect voice of anger and resentment in this article "YES" -

Serbia does not need to be in Europe. She can become rich and powerful, and become an example of a shining leader for all in Europe!

This article confirms what I have been writing many times on this site.

Serbia might join the EU in 2018.

However, if Serbia encounters problems during the accession process then Serbia will join the EU in 2020.

Always my point...2020 if everything is ok..never if Serbia decide to change governament...

2020 ..... will the EU itself still be around then?

Oh yes, Brussels’ tried and trusted all stick and no carrot approach to Serbia’s EU accession bid. And a suggested entry date of 2020?! Really? Surely that’s a little premature. Hopefully by that time though, there’ll be no more wretched EU in existence for any unfortunate country to have to grovel for membership.

2020 ..... will the EU itself still be around then?
(lowe, 9 February 2010 14:02)

By that time EU will stand for Evaporated Utopia.
(szemi, 9 February 2010 17:05)

I couldn't agree more with both postings.

Monetary union,political union,one nationality are all
parts of the same illusion.
People will always be known by where they come from.Not as Europeans but as French,Italians,Romanians etc.

Monetary union will never be achieved because the economy of each country is on a different curve and has its own peculiarities.

Political union could be imposed without the consent of the people.

Serbia might join the EU in 2018.

Mircea, 9 February 2010 13:35)

By that time EU will stand for Evaporated Utopia.

Serbia should step into a federation with Russia, not the EU. Unless the Kosovo-theft is made undone.

"My calculation always seem right.

Serbia will join the EU in the 2020s after Kosovo, AND THAT if the latter allows it...
(PRN, 9 February 2010 15:57)"

And who says that "Kosova" will be allowed into the EU? And even if that highly unlikely event actually takes place I will be more right than your so-called "calculations" (I would call them wishful thinking) that "Kosova" will be in no position whatsoever to actually determine that. You are overrating your influence and power in a way that really makes you looks foolish. But hopefully by that time the EU will be another failed relic of history.

Suggested year and mechanism of the process is realistic apart of single...

...problem: political status of Kosovo and Bosnia will finally block Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Albania and probably Montenegro for any kind of EU accession.

Balkan Gordian Knot will not be unties in the course of our lifetimes.

Of course it's an illusion.

The whole talk of speedy membership is the yellows (Tadic) trying to stay in power.

This party has no solutions for our problems, and has had none since Djindjic died.

All they can do is talk, yeah join EU and everything will be fixed. Because our media is too complacent to point out that no it won't.

And Tadic knows that everytime there is an election or a chance of the government falling the EU will grant some concession to prevent his opponents from coming to power.

The arguments about joining the EU are so lame it’s laughable. So far I only see failure of a so called united Europe. The only country not in financial difficulty for now is Germany while the rest are basket cases to various degrees and this does not include the so called members from the former eastern block which are all bankrupt.

What exactly are you people aspiring to? The EU will not give you a thing unless you are prepared to WORK. I know it’s a four letter word but there is the secret to your success and unless you roll up your sleeves and work you will be in the same situation 50 years from now even if you do join the EU. There are no easy quick fixes which the pushers of this mythical land called the EU are touting.

First improve the living standards in Serbia then worry about joining the EU.

The article doesn't tell us anything we don't know already, let alone its onsided suppositions and guesstimates and qualified ifs and buts. It also completely ignores anything outside its strict interpretation with regards to Russia, the effect EU blackmail on Kosovo will have on public opinion and thus political stability in Serbia and Bosnia including the so called 'Stability Pact' not to mention the EU's other major projects in the region.

Serbia which is in a much stronger postion politically than it was only a few year ago and now has options when before it had none. It is really up to Europe/Brussel (whomever the article thinks this is) to 'loose' Serbia.

Considering the stupidity and fecklessness throughout the 1990s and onwards in balkan policy, it is not at all that unlikely.

Comparing Serbia to other failed entrants into the EU (Bg & Ro) is both facile and wrong.

The article as a techincal appraisal may be ok, but in absence of even touching upon the many relevant issues of which Serbia is at the center of the web, it should be taken with a pinch of salt.

It is a fools game to predict dates.

I have to agree with Demi on this one. The choice for Serbia will be come into the EU and let Kosovo go OR you're not welcome. It'll be one or the other. Serbia will face a stark choice unless it receives an emphatic endorsement of it's position at the ICJ.

I forgot, of course, to mention Greece and the possibility of its financial implosion (who knows?).

Brussels is far less worried about the Serbian economy than some others in the Balkans. Stretching out the accession process may well hinder inward investment which is going in precisely because they expect Serbia to benefit from the EU. If there is less investement and then less jobs and less money etc., how is this good either for Serbia, the EU or its neighbors?

Austria has also been badly over exposed in the Balkans considering it was one of the first real investors when no other country would touch it with a barge pole.

As for 'Kosova' (WTF is that?) joining before Serbia, how is it Serbia will not allowed to join if it does not 'recognize' it yet it will be allowed to join before Serbia? Or don't EU rules apply for the albanians due to their so very special status??? Ridiculous.

And the signal all this would give to other aspiring states, Turkey, Ukraine etc??? To quote (more or less) the infuriating 'Vicky Pollard' character from tv show Little Britain "Yes, but no, but yes, but no but my friend Sharon goes awwwlllllllll the way with that Ricky".

Another interesting article brought by WAZ.EUobserver.com is this one, who of course Serbian media avoid publishing for not further damaging Tadic's Government.

"According to this website's sources, the note was addressed exclusively to Minister Jeremic and not to President Boris Tadic.

"We have tolerated until now the Serbian aggressive rhetoric regarding Kosovo, because we believed that with time passing it could be taken off the agenda. Our partners in Belgrade have told us that the statements of Minister Jeremic about Kosovo aimed to protect President Tadic from attack by Serbian nationalists, and the initiative to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on the Declaration of the independence was just a manoeuvre to remove Kosovo from the political agenda in Serbia. None of this seems to be the case and Kosovo continues to be a major political issue in Serbia," the note said.
(Pejoni, 9 February 2010 14:54)

yes, pejoni, and that article continues:

"The US and the top EU foreign policy players are becoming nervous about Mr Jeremic's lobbying activities in some countries around the world to get support for a plan to convene a special session of the UN General Assembly on the day when the ICJ makes its position on Kosovo independence known. "

so, they are "getting nervous" in addition to "losing patience", meaning their options as to how to deal with the situation are limited. i guess that part didn't fit into your world view, so you left it out. i highly doubt the article as a whole would put serbian government in bad light in the serbian public.