Europe Is Still Serbia’s Best Option, President Tadic Tells Business Leaders
Serbia’s future lies within the EU, if only because there is no better option, President Boris Tadićsaid in London, on Wednesday. “I am not that pro-European as it probably looks,’ he said. “Because of practical reasons, I don’t see any alternative.”
“From time to time I am faced with a challenge to explain why we are keeping that orientation in Serbia, even though the European Union is less attractive than a few years ago,’ said Tadić at The International Institute for Strategic Studies. “I try to explain to ordinary people that this is strategic orientation. This is not about Serbia tomorrow or after tomorrow, this is about Serbia in the next ten or twenty years. Today, tomorrow and in the future. That is very important. This is European integration, not only for Serbia but for all other regional countries.
“I am not that pro-European as it probably looks when I am talking about European Union integration for my country and regional countries, but I don’t see a better model. This is because of practical reasons.
“The European Union as a model with 500 million people who have the best conditions for their own lives and a real technological advantage is the only way to be competitive in the next twenty years with players that are coming from all around the world: the United States and China, but also the BRIC countries, that are working very hard and developing fast. They will be very important players within the next few years. For that reason, I don’t see any alternative, in terms of political processes and integrations.
“It doesn’t mean that we are not going to cooperate with other countries, with China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa. We are doing everything possible, like other European countries, to enhance co-operation with them. We are defending our own interests. But we want to join the EU and to share the political destiny with European Union countries because we belong to the European culture. Even though it is less attractive than before, I see that orientation as very important for my country, and also for the European Union.
“In my view, the European Union is going to be faced with critical problems. This is a period of changing global policy, economic policy and technology. The next twenty years will see some substantial changes in the controlling power and global policy that is going to be dependent on economic development and the capability to use armed forces.
This standpoint is typical of Tadić, who believes that Serbia must act in its own long-term interests. “Our region, the so-called Western Balkans, cannot stand still waiting for global conditions to improve or for foreign powers to settle our differences. We must move forward together to build our own future and security. We need to do what is necessary to progress with the European Union, even if the Union currently seems reluctant about enlargement.
Improved regional affairs have been a focus for Tadić, and he seems proud of his role in the improved relations. “The cooperation developed at a political level between Serbia and Croatia in the last three years has been a very important stabilizing factor for Bosnia,’ he said. “We intend to maintain that cooperation because we both believe that Bosnia and Herzegovina is central to the stability of the region. I have personally insisted to my government that this policy must be viewed as a strategic necessity for the region and a strategic priority for Serbia. There has been a significant increase in cooperation resulting in joint operations between our police and intelligence to capture leaders of organised crime networks.”
Identifying increased business opportunities has been at the heart of Serbia’s efforts in recent years, recognising the advantages of an economically attractive workforce. Serbia’s improving international image has contributed greatly to advances in these areas.
“There is growing cooperation between investors in the region,’ he said. “The possibility of profit to an organisation often is the quickest way to break down barriers. In that sense, business can be the flag bearer of political necessity. The need to harmonise our administrative laws and structure with those of the European Union are creating a new and more common language amongst us all in the region.
“As for my country Serbia, I believe that we have a vital strategic role, and that is to be the engine of economic development and political stability of the region. Highways, communications networks, energy supply routes all pass through Serbia. Our economic well-being touches the lives of many more beyond our frontiers. This role is a responsibility and one which I take very seriously.
“Improved stability and greater dialogue has contributed to increased investment opportunities from abroad, as well as stronger ties and growing cooperation between investors in the region. The possibility of profit to an organisation often is the quickest way to break down barriers. In that sense, business can be the flag bearer of political necessity.
But Serbia cannot do this alone. The Balkans must work together, if benefits are to be seen. “The region must cooperate economically so that we have markets that are viable for investors,’ said Tadić. “We must work with each other to eliminate the networks of organised crime that use our region as a base to penetrate into Europe and which try to influence our states. We must work on building a solid economic base that protects our populations from the worst effects of the global financial crisis and thus prevent the rise of political populism. We must move to create normal relations throughout the region.
However, Tadić sees Serbia as the heart of the region. “The need to harmonise our administrative laws and structure with those of the European Union are creating a new and more common language amongst us all in the region,’ he said. “As for Serbia, I believe that we have a vital strategic role, and that is to be the engine of economic development and political stability of the region. Highways, communications networks, energy supply routes all pass through Serbia. Our economic well-being touches the lives of many more beyond our frontiers. This role is a responsibility and one which I take very seriously.
“In many ways, and to different degrees, there has been real progress. Much of it goes unreported. The fact is that I see our role and my responsibility as one of resolving outstanding issues and I believe we have achieved a great deal. I must confess that a feeling has emerged in Serbia that whatever we try to do, there may be some member states who want to delay enlargement. It is very easy to find reasons to delay any country’s progress.”
With the Eurozone in a turmoil that threatens to rip the heart out of the European Union and could result in a two-tier bloc, the President is rightly concerned about the effects on his country and region. “It looks very bad,’ he said, bluntly. “We hope that the European Union is capable to solve that problem as soon as possible. Otherwise we are going to suffer. Our economies in South East Europe are very vulnerable and we will be affected very much. For that reason, we are following what is going on carefully.
“In September I was talking with the CEOs of some main European banks. They told me that if Europe is not made to solve the problem with the Greek debt, the economies within European Union countries will be in a very difficult situation. I told them that the situation would be even worse in the region of South East Europe, because of exports and our orientation towards the European Union market – sixty per cent of our products are going there – and that is going to destabilize our economy.
“My political problem is even bigger. We had the last election before the crisis and we promised some things that we were capable to deliver but after the crisis we couldn’t do that. This is about trust, legitimacy and about stability of political institutions. In the former Yugoslavia and the Western Balkans we have not that long history of democracy. There is only more than one decade of democracy in our countries. For that reason, this issue is connected with the democratic stabilization of Serbia and we are looking for a chance to find some solutions to the crisis that is coming. I have some concerns about the way the European Union countries are dealing with this problem. The main condition in order to deliver some results is to discuss how to solve it. This is a very very dangerous problem.”
President Tadić was in London at the invitation of Prime Minister David Cameron. During their Downing Street meeting, the long history shared by Britain and Serbia, improved investment opportunities, and on-going joint efforts to fight international terrorism and organised crime were some of the major topics covered. Serbian news sources quoted Tadić as claiming that the UK will now support Serbia’s EU bid, if Belgrade is seen to be in dialogue with Pristina and if a solution can be found for the administrative crossings in northern Kosovo. British Government sources have not commented in such terms.
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