Brnabić: Serbia does not have a ‘plan B’ regarding the EU

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić stated that the only option for a sustainable and prosperous future for Serbia is to become a member of the European Union, adding that there is no plan B.

Speaking at the “Yes, but” panel organised by EURACTIV Serbia, Brnabić stressed that this is Serbia’s main strategic priority regarding foreign policy.”Economically, we are already part of the European Union, and culturally, geographically and historically, we are part of the European continent and the European family of nations. At the end of the day, I don’t think we have a plan B,” said the prime minister.

Brnabić added that Serbia has opened two out of five clusters that make up EU accession negotiations and that she hopes that one more will be opened by the end of the year.

“I have to say, the road is often more important than the destination itself. The changes we implement, in order to become part of the EU, we introduce in the first place because they are good for our citizens, the economy and society,” the Prime Minister pointed out.

She stated that the European Union is the most successful peace project in the history of mankind, and “If anyone should be part of that peace process, it is certainly the Balkans”.

She underlined that the accession process is a very complex and bureaucratic job and that now we are talking about clusters, not chapters, as before.

“I prefer to talk about the accession process through three key pillars, which are public administration, the rule of law and the economy. By reforming those pillars, you reform the country and society,” said the Prime Minister.

According to her, Serbia has made the most progress in the economy and stated that the public debt currently amounts to 51.4 per cent, unemployment is below nine per cent, and the budget deficit will most likely be 2.8 per cent. At the same time, she stated that the average salary in Serbia is slowly catching up with the European Union standard.

“We have done a lot in the last seven years, and the introduction of e-Government is especially significant because now we have a government that is fully transparent and accessible to citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, as well as a government that fights corruption “, said the prime minister and added that there are still things that need to be done in that area.

Speaking about the rule of law, she stated that many reforms still need to be implemented, including the full implementation of the media strategy, the fight against corruption, improvements in human rights and the rights of national minorities.

“I must emphasise that we have fully implemented those reforms, which I considered the most complex. That is the reform of the judiciary. We changed our Constitution, with the support of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission, to ensure that our judiciary is fully independent of any political influence,” said the Prime Minister of Serbia.Brnabić emphasised that there are two more issues that stand between Serbia and its membership – the normalisation of relations with Pristina and the question of sanctions against Russia.

“Kosovo is not a challenge that depends on us alone, it takes two to tango. Unfortunately, in the last 24 months, especially last year, we have had constant tension, provocations and instability. The government, with the great support of President Aleksandar Vučić, is trying to make the situation as peaceful and stable as possible”, Brnabić said, calling the questions that always pop up a source of “constant frustration”.

“But overall, if you want to become part of the club, the club can move the goalpost. You can be frustrated and unhappy about it, but if you want to become part of the club, you have to respect its rules,” said Brnabić.

(Bojana Zimonjic Jelisavac | EURACTIV.rs)