President of European nation signals possibility of a referendum on BRICS membership
Serbia may explore the possibility of joining BRICS as an alternative to EU membership, according to President Aleksandar Vucic. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The rising popularity of the BRICS economic bloc in Serbia has prompted President Aleksandar Vucic to propose a potential referendum on the country's membership in the group.
Vucic’s remarks followed Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin's recent suggestion that Serbia might consider joining BRICS instead of pursuing EU membership, especially as the group is currently chaired by Russia.
In a conversation with state broadcaster RTS on Monday, Vucic referenced recent surveys indicating that 42% of the Serbian population supports EU integration, while an equal percentage is in favor of joining BRICS. He acknowledged that this support exists “even though people in Serbia do not really know what BRICS means.”
“Although no one will like this, that discussion [about EU or BRICS] will be very serious in this country in the next year and a half or two,” he explained. “I do not rule out that it will be one of the key topics in the presidential elections in 2027… and it may also be a referendum topic.”
However, Vucic emphasized that for Serbia to consider BRICS, the bloc would need to make strides in establishing a common payment system.
“People are fed up with stories about respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, while the territorial integrity of Serbia is not respected,” he said regarding Serbia's potential EU aspirations.
Serbia submitted its application to join the EU in 2009 and has held candidate status since 2012. Deputy Prime Minister Vulin has criticized Brussels for altering the criteria for accession, particularly for linking Serbia's membership to the severance of ties with Moscow.
In spite of significant pressure from Brussels, Serbia has opted not to align with US and EU sanctions against Russia and has proclaimed its neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, maintaining trade relations with both Russia and Western nations.
During the ongoing BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, a Serbian delegation has been sent, led by Vulin alongside Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic, Economy Minister Adrijana Mesarovic, and Minister Nenad Popovic, who focuses on international economic cooperation.
Vucic, who received an invitation to the summit from Russian President Vladimir Putin, mentioned to RTS that he sought understanding for not being able to attend in person due to a concurrent visit from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“I was very honest with President Putin and told him that it was planned in advance, but I did not hide it and told him… that even if it weren’t for these visits, it would be extremely difficult for me to come due to various circumstances that [he is] well aware of,” Vucic remarked.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
Vucic’s remarks followed Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin's recent suggestion that Serbia might consider joining BRICS instead of pursuing EU membership, especially as the group is currently chaired by Russia.
In a conversation with state broadcaster RTS on Monday, Vucic referenced recent surveys indicating that 42% of the Serbian population supports EU integration, while an equal percentage is in favor of joining BRICS. He acknowledged that this support exists “even though people in Serbia do not really know what BRICS means.”
“Although no one will like this, that discussion [about EU or BRICS] will be very serious in this country in the next year and a half or two,” he explained. “I do not rule out that it will be one of the key topics in the presidential elections in 2027… and it may also be a referendum topic.”
However, Vucic emphasized that for Serbia to consider BRICS, the bloc would need to make strides in establishing a common payment system.
“People are fed up with stories about respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, while the territorial integrity of Serbia is not respected,” he said regarding Serbia's potential EU aspirations.
Serbia submitted its application to join the EU in 2009 and has held candidate status since 2012. Deputy Prime Minister Vulin has criticized Brussels for altering the criteria for accession, particularly for linking Serbia's membership to the severance of ties with Moscow.
In spite of significant pressure from Brussels, Serbia has opted not to align with US and EU sanctions against Russia and has proclaimed its neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, maintaining trade relations with both Russia and Western nations.
During the ongoing BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, a Serbian delegation has been sent, led by Vulin alongside Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic, Economy Minister Adrijana Mesarovic, and Minister Nenad Popovic, who focuses on international economic cooperation.
Vucic, who received an invitation to the summit from Russian President Vladimir Putin, mentioned to RTS that he sought understanding for not being able to attend in person due to a concurrent visit from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“I was very honest with President Putin and told him that it was planned in advance, but I did not hide it and told him… that even if it weren’t for these visits, it would be extremely difficult for me to come due to various circumstances that [he is] well aware of,” Vucic remarked.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
