By boycotting the WB Summit, Serbia showed that the policy of continuous conditioning is unacceptable

The EU’s decision not to open Cluster 3 for Serbia, even though the country has been fully prepared for it for five years, while, on the other hand, praising, for example, Ukraine—which is in the midst of a war—for its progress, has once again shown that the European integration process is no longer measured by the reforms actually carried out, but by Brussels’ interests and the political suitability of our country—primarily through its stance on Kosovo and relations with Moscow and Beijing.

For this reason, the decision of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, that, for the first time in the past 14 years, Belgrade did not send a representative to yesterday’s EU – Western Balkans Summit, was, at the very least, expected. This does not mean abandoning the European path, but it sends a clear message that the policy of constant conditionality is unacceptable.

Thus, the EU Council welcomes the fact that European integration is a strategic goal for Serbia, but emphasizes that Serbia must demonstrate this “more clearly” in words and actions—through sanctions on Russia, recognition of the fake state of Kosovo, and suppression of “EU-related disinformation.”

• Vučić decided - no one from Serbia is going to Brussels; Dodik: His position represents defense of Serb people

Minister of European Integration Nemanja Starović pointed out that this decision is an expression of real commitment to our path to EU membership, which can only be realistic and sustainable if it is based on merit, mutual respect and sincere commitment to a common future.

Great support from Orban and Fico

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sent strong messages and supported Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his decision not to go to Brussels.

Yesterday, when asked by journalists about the absence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at the European Union summit in Brussels, Orban said that Serbia is a country that is treated badly and shamefully.

Among other things, Orban said that Serbia is a key country, but that the entire enlargement process has experienced a complete failure in the last four years.

He added that Serbia has not moved in the negotiation process and that the treatment towards it is bad and shameful. Among other things, he said that in the economic sense, Serbia is the most important in the region.

He also added that he defends Europe from migrants and that nothing in the region can be done without Serbia.

Finally, he emphasized that Hungary supports Serbia to move forward.

EPA-EFE/GRIGORY SYSOEV /SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL MANDATORY CREDIT

Previously, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, said that he would speak in favor of Serbia at the EU-Western Balkans summit, assessing that the EU is punishing Belgrade for its sovereign positions and applying unreasonable conditions in the enlargement process.

He said at the session of the European Affairs Committee of the Slovak Parliament that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić intends to boycott the meeting of the European Council "as a sign of protest".

Also, he pointed out that the EU cannot punish a country for its sovereign positions, while at the same time creating new conditions and obligations for it.

"What they are doing to Serbia has nothing to do with common sense," he said regarding Serbia's preparations for EU accession.

According to Fico, the EU is in deep crisis "even in such basic matters" as its enlargement.

Fico announced on his Instagram profile.

"The damaged plane and the controversial Summit on EU enlargement, to which Serbian President A. Vučić justifiably did not come as a sign of protest. This is how we started today in Brussels... The demanding summit in Brussels did not start well. At the airport, a vehicle with stairs damaged the plane so much that it is no longer fit for flight and we have to leave it here. The evening meeting with the countries of the Western Balkans that are applying for EU membership looked equally skeptical. I especially supported Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who deliberately absented himself from this summit in order to express his protest against the unfair treatment of the EU institutions towards Serbia," Fico wrote and added:

"Serbia is a sovereign state, and its president is a sovereign politician, which is not tolerated in the EU. New conditions are constantly being invented for Serbia to join the EU, in order to delay it as long as possible, even though Serbia is among the best prepared countries. Double standards are a typical feature of European politics. On the one hand, the 'big boys' are pushing Ukraine into the EU, even though it is absolutely unprepared, and on the other hand, Serbia is prevented from entering the Union because it is too proud, self-confident and sovereign. Aleksandar Vučić and the Serbs will always have my support."