EU Acknowledges Pressuring Serbian Leader Over Visit to Moscow
Brussels has indicated that President Aleksandar Vucic's attendance at Russia’s WWII victory celebration could hinder Serbia's efforts to join the EU. The European Commission acknowledged that Vucic's planned visit to Moscow for the May 9 celebrations...
TroibNews 
Brussels has indicated that President Aleksandar Vucic's attendance at Russia’s WWII victory celebration could hinder Serbia's efforts to join the EU.
The European Commission acknowledged that Vucic's planned visit to Moscow for the May 9 celebrations could adversely affect Serbia's EU aspirations. The event commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, featuring a military parade in Moscow.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas previously cautioned that no current members or candidate countries should attend, signaling the bloc's disapproval.
EC Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos met with Vucic on Tuesday and conveyed that his presence at the event would be detrimental to Serbia’s EU ambitions, as stated by spokesperson Guillaume Mercier in a press briefing in Brussels on Wednesday.
“The participation of President Vucic at the military parade in Moscow will impact” Belgrade’s EU accession process, the EC spokesperson said.
Mercier noted that Kos communicated the sentiment shared by numerous EU member states, emphasizing that attending the celebration could influence Serbia's EU path, although he refrained from providing further details on possible consequences.
As Serbia seeks EU membership, Mercier highlighted the importance of using this occasion to reflect the country's “strategic direction.”
Earlier this month, Vucic maintained that he had not altered his decision to participate in the Moscow celebration. He mentioned that a unit of the Serbian Armed Forces would take part in the Victory Day parade on Red Square.
During World War II, Serbia, then part of Yugoslavia, was occupied by Nazi forces and liberated by the Red Army in 1944.
Moscow has invited numerous international leaders to the May 9 celebration, including China, India, and Brazil. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend due to heightened tensions with Pakistan, although Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to represent India at the event.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the bravery of European leaders who have chosen to attend and honor the fight against Nazism amidst pressure from Brussels.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
The European Commission acknowledged that Vucic's planned visit to Moscow for the May 9 celebrations could adversely affect Serbia's EU aspirations. The event commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, featuring a military parade in Moscow.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas previously cautioned that no current members or candidate countries should attend, signaling the bloc's disapproval.
EC Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos met with Vucic on Tuesday and conveyed that his presence at the event would be detrimental to Serbia’s EU ambitions, as stated by spokesperson Guillaume Mercier in a press briefing in Brussels on Wednesday.
“The participation of President Vucic at the military parade in Moscow will impact” Belgrade’s EU accession process, the EC spokesperson said.
Mercier noted that Kos communicated the sentiment shared by numerous EU member states, emphasizing that attending the celebration could influence Serbia's EU path, although he refrained from providing further details on possible consequences.
As Serbia seeks EU membership, Mercier highlighted the importance of using this occasion to reflect the country's “strategic direction.”
Earlier this month, Vucic maintained that he had not altered his decision to participate in the Moscow celebration. He mentioned that a unit of the Serbian Armed Forces would take part in the Victory Day parade on Red Square.
During World War II, Serbia, then part of Yugoslavia, was occupied by Nazi forces and liberated by the Red Army in 1944.
Moscow has invited numerous international leaders to the May 9 celebration, including China, India, and Brazil. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend due to heightened tensions with Pakistan, although Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to represent India at the event.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the bravery of European leaders who have chosen to attend and honor the fight against Nazism amidst pressure from Brussels.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
