European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated today that she is not in favor of imposing sanctions on individuals from the Serbian government, but that she will analyze whether Serbia meets the criteria for pre-accession financial assistance.
In an interview with N1, she pointed out that she sees the Serbian side's willingness to meet the criteria, but that the recent adoption of amendments to the judicial laws is a clear setback, and that she wants them to explain to her why they were adopted and why Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić signed them.
"I am not in favor of punishment, I believe in the people of Serbia and Serbia, that we will find the right path. We will analyze whether Serbia meets the criteria for pre-accession financial assistance. We expect Serbia to revise those laws, if not then we will have to see how we will react," Kos said.
She pointed out that the adoption of these laws undermines trust in Brussels.
"It's about whether the Serbian government and parliament really want to bring Serbia into the EU. I still believe in that and I will continue to try as long as it makes sense," said Marta Kos.
She added that she expects the Serbian authorities to postpone the implementation of the amendments until the Venice Commission issues recommendations, and then revise the law in an inclusive manner.
"I am not in favor of penalties, but I am in favor of strict rules. Since I hear from Serbian politicians that Serbia wants to stay on the European path, my task is to help it get back on that path by revising these amendments. Everything is now in the hands of the Serbian authorities," she said.
Marta Kos added that she has no other choice but to believe that they are committed because she is an optimist and because the other option is to stop helping Serbia on its path to the EU.
She pointed out that geopolitics has changed a lot and that this is another reason why she believes in the Western Balkans' path towards the EU.
When asked how she would comment on the secessionist ideas of the leader of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, Milorad Dodik, she replied: "Who is Milorad Dodik? He doesn't matter to me."
She also emphasized that she will talk to the new president of Republika Srpska because she chooses dialogue, just as she chooses dialogue with Vučić, even though she is criticized for it.
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