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Fico: Serbia should be admitted to the EU as soon as possible

by AI | 19.Dec 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The Slovak Prime Minister declared that in his speech, he supported Serbia, which he believes has incredibly helped the EU in protecting the borders against illegal migration.

Serbia, according to Fico, is also important in the case of lithium supplies necessary for battery production. PHOTO TASR/AP (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Brussels – Representatives of the Western Balkans received nice speeches with no serious promises at the summit with the European Union. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučič experienced the greatest disappointment rightfully. Serbia is a very important partner for the EU in terms of strategic resources or migration assistance. Therefore, it should be admitted to the Union as quickly as possible, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico declared on Thursday (December 19) in Brussels. TASR reports.

“In my speech, I clearly supported Serbia,” Fico said, adding that “it is a country that has incredibly helped the EU in protecting borders against illegal migration.” According to him, Serbia is also important in terms of lithium supplies needed for battery production.

Fico criticized the informal dinner that followed the summit. “The European Council representatives, i.e., prime ministers and heads of state, were supposed to attend along with the prime ministers and presidents of the Western Balkans region. And I don’t think it’s right that in the middle of such a dinner, half of the prime ministers and presidents stand up and leave,” he said.

According to him, they left for a meeting regarding the deployment of troops to Ukraine. “I think the representatives of the Western Balkans were left with a bitter taste. Their disappointment might have been even greater once their trip ended like this,” he declared, stating that there is no political will for immediate expansion.

EU member leaders and the Western Balkans agreed at a joint summit on Wednesday (December 18) that in the context of the geopolitical situation caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine and the Middle East conflict, the strategic partnership between the Union and the countries of the mentioned region is more important than ever.

The text agreed upon by the heads of government and states of the EU and the Western Balkans specifies that both sides have a common future and face challenges that can only be overcome together, and that building a future of peace and prosperity must be based on common principles, values, and interests. “The future of the Western Balkans is in the EU,” the statement reads. (December 19)