Dutch MEP Thijs Reuten states that Serbia is currently being led by a problematic government.
He emphasizes that no international supporter of European values expects Belgrade to continue with deception.
The MEP noted that media controlled by the Serbian government are influencing the citizens of Serbia with their narratives.
“We are facing a problematic government. I am not against Serbia or the Serbian people, but we have a problem with the government. We must clearly communicate to the Serbian authorities what we expect from them and what we do not. We do not want them to come to Brussels and claim that Serbia’s goal is to become a member, only to return to Belgrade and not speak as positively about the European path. Sometimes they even choose to board a plane to Moscow instead of participating in European-level discussions,” said Reuten.
“We need to be more decisive with the Serbian government, especially regarding demands that the situation in Kosovo should not be further destabilized. The European Union must be stricter with Serbia on these matters,” he added.
When asked how he interprets recent public opinion polls, which have shown a decline in support for the EU and European integration, he believes it should be viewed from the perspective that these are the narratives being presented.
“The media are under government control and follow the narrative imposed by the government. I am available for this kind of debate because it concerns the European future of ordinary citizens. They stand to gain a lot on the path to Europe and could lose significantly if Serbia is a destabilizing factor in the region,” he said.
When asked if his message can reach the citizens of Serbia, he expressed hope.
“Even though Serbia is not yet a member of the EU, I believe it is in the interest of Serbian citizens and our interest to seek environmental protection concerning these projects. This is a basic principle when building a business in good faith and transparency. I believe it is in people’s interest, but we need to place it in a context where we help companies and actors from both sides to implement the rules. Cooperation is good, but it must be according to the law,” he emphasized.
