Panel discussion: If Serbia were to make progress, an EU summit like today's in Tivat would be held in Belgrade

Serbia has not made progress in European integration since 2012, because if there was progress, a European Union (EU) summit like today's in Tivat would be in Belgrade, it was assessed at the panel discussion "Europe, Now or (Never)" organized by the Foundation for Liberal Practical Politics.

The president of the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG), Pavle Grbović, assessed that the process of delegitimizing the regime regarding EU integration is practically complete thanks to the actions of some opposition actors and, above all, civil society, and that the "legalization of the (political) alternative" to the government follows.

He believes that the EU understands the situation in Serbia, but that its President Aleksandar Vučić cannot accept that he is no longer a "leader in the region" on this issue, and that is why he resorted to provocation on the eve of the EU summit (with passengers on the plane that the Montenegrin authorities returned from Tivat).

He also assessed that the decisions of the EU summit in Tivat were generally good for Serbia, but that, as he said, for Serbia "with Vučić it doesn't matter."

According to him, the authorities in Belgrade cannot and do not want to fulfill what the EU has recently asked of them regarding media laws, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media, university autonomy, and the holding of fair, free and democratic elections.

The leader of the opposition PSG assessed that if the regime agreed to this, it "would not last even seven days in power."

He also believes that "now is the time to talk about the EU," because it is unknown whether the issue will be open in three, five or seven years.

"The EU is not just a foreign policy goal of Serbia - it is a framework that guarantees citizens what they are denied today: justice, well-organized institutions, free media, fair elections and the opportunity to plan their future with dignity," he said.

According to him, the task is to build a strong European alternative that will finally return Serbia to the path of development and freedom.

"That is why the issue of Serbia's European future is, above all, a question of changing the government and building a strong European alternative," said Grbović.

He also announced the start of the campaign "Europe, the choice of free citizens" in Serbian cities with the aim of bringing European values ​​closer to citizens and showing how the rule of law, functional institutions, quality education and the fight against corruption directly affect the quality of their lives.

According to him, the first event within the campaign will be held on Saturday, June 6, at Republic Square in Belgrade, starting at 4:00 PM.

He pointed out that on an individual level, people in Serbia are in favor of the EU and that they go there, not to Russia, to study and work, and warned of the simultaneous manipulative propaganda by the authorities on this issue.

Executive Director of Civic Initiatives Maja Stojanović believes that it is necessary in Serbia to work on building the values ​​that the majority of citizens want, and which are also the true values ​​of the EU.

According to her, for decades, Serbian citizens have been living under the pressure of crises, propaganda, and political manipulations that have left profound consequences on society.

"Despite that, citizens still want the same thing – justice, a life without corruption, a dignified life and institutions that work in their interest. (...) Therefore, it is the responsibility of all of us who understand the importance of democracy and the rule of law to be more vocal, more present and more active in society," said Stojanović.

The panel, moderated by ISAC Fund Senior Advisor Marko Savković, also featured historian Milan St. Protić.

Protić supported the idea of ​​gathering pro-European political and social forces, and assessed that it was a necessary step towards creating a credible alternative to the current government.