Belgrade en route to Brussels ” “

The big day has arrived for Serbia: January 21st the EU adhesion process officially began. Ensuing the historical agreement between Belgrade and Pristine, signed in Spring 2013, the two countries have made “remarkable progress”, underlined also in an EP resolution adopted January 16. The document makes known that Serbia “is invited to continue along the road of the reforms already undertaken, answering citizens’ expectations and keeping good relations with neighbouring countries”. It’s a long way to go, with several issues that deserve being clarified, but the idea of EU integration has consolidated major political parties and increased citizens’ confidence. On this issue Iva Mihailova, for SIR Europe, has interviewed Dusan Janic, political analyst and president of the Ethnical Relations Forum. How did Serbia’s public opinion react to the news of the opening of adhesion negotiations? According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, only 36% of all citizens consider integration positive for the Country… “Over the past five years, despite the presence of various political parties which alternated in government, the European perspective has been viewed as the best solution for the Country. And Serbians reacted positively. Policymakers and the national media gave a major contribution to that outlook. From now on we’re bound to gradually start to realize what it means and which advantages EU adhesion will give to the European Union”. Do you think that the Balkan’s past is a determining factor in present Serbian politics? How will it be reflected in the path of European integration? “At present it can be said that both the President of the Republic- Tomislav Nicolic- and the Prime Minister – Ivica Dacic – were members of Milosevic’s regime. But today EU adhesion is largely considered the primary objective. It is a question of normalizing relations with Kosovo and within Serbia. A lot should be changed, and the government isn’t ready to take immediate action. The approach to intelligence services is but an example. Even the ongoing economic downturn, worsened by the global crisis, brings to the fore nationalistic claims”. The normalization of relations with Pristine was Brussels’ key condition … “Indeed, while it’s true that Serbia represents a special case for the EU, I think it’s the first time that conditions are set before the integration process has even begun. Moreover, the absence of unsolved disputes with other EU countries is stipulated in the Copenhagen criteria for adhesion. Thus normalization of relations with Kosovo is envisaged in a separate chapter of the negotiations, chapter 35, which will remain open during the entire adhesion process, expected to be long and difficult”. What do you expect to be the main problems in Serbia’s progress towards the EU: organized crime, corruption, or economic development? “There are many hanging issues, but the fight on organized crime and economic development are among our major problems. Guarantees should be given for private property and to finalize the restitution of property confiscated under the Nazi and communist regimes. Serbia will have to address the problems linked to the redistribution of power and resources, a very thorny issue, due to trigger various questions at domestic level”. Do you think a change of heart is needed? “It certainly is. But it cannot be achieved merely through political means, and nor through negotiations, but only experiencing the peaceful coexistence with other Countries, especially the neighbouring ones. I think the negotiation period will last at least 10-15 years. To change not only the laws but also the public opinion is an opportunity for Belgrade”. In a recent interview, vice-premier Alexander Vucic said that “European adhesion doesn’t entail identity loss. But some groups in society, including the Serbian Orthodox Church, do not agree. What’s your opinion? “It’s true that some Church dignitaries do not accept European integration because they would rather step up cooperation with Russia. But other Metropolitan priests, such as those in Kosovo, actively cooperate with a view to integration. I don’t think that the Serbian Orthodox Church is against European adhesion. It is rather an identity crisis ongoing inside the Church. On the one side it is trying to be independent, but on the other it is strongly influenced either by the Patriarchate in Moscow or by Constantinople”.