Serbia’s integration experience

Serbia’s chief priority in foreign policy is its membership in the EU. After several years of activity and harmonization of the country’s legislation and legal system with the laws of the European Union, accompanied by implementation of important reforms, Belgrade succeeded in signing an association and stabilization agreement with Brussels.

In late 2009, Serbia was granted a visa-free regime with the EU countries and applied for EU membership. How did Serbia manage to achieve the goals it had set, and how is it going to reincorporate Kosovo? Why does Kyiv’s support matter to Belgrade?

Dusan LAZIC, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Ukraine, shares his vision in his interview given to The Day .

“We have indeed done a lot to reform the organization of the state and society, although it was not an easy thing to do. However, we do not rest on our laurels and keep working in this direction. We have quite a long way to go before we become the EU member. It pleases us to see that they praise our work, and now we hope to have received the candidate status by the end of this year.

“However, even without this status our rapprochement with the EU is irreversible. There is a mutual interest for both the European Union and our country in making the progress as rapid as possible.”

Experts maintain that your country succeeded in lifting the visa regime with the EU due to your tough stand in the talks with Brussels.

“Obtaining the visa-free regime for our citizens is a critical moment. The talks were indeed long and difficult. But we had to fulfill several conditions – not only about Serbia, but also about other countries which wanted to have a visa-free regime with the European Union. These demands have to be fulfilled in practice.

“I can say that this is the result of the domestic measures concerning practical implementation of the agreement on readmission and other international conventions, as well as the struggle against organized crime and international terrorism. We had to do a lot in the sphere of security, to guarantee certain changes in our country, and also to arrange for cooperation with other nations. Thus, the visa-free regime is a result of definite measures taken by us, rather than of some tough negotiations.

“It is an important political moment for us, because the lifting of the visa regime indicates the international community’s growing trust in Serbia. Now, the world looks at our country from a different perspective.

“This decision has economic dimensions, too. Investors also look at how the European Union takes the processes going on in Serbia.

“One should not leave out the psychological implications the visa-free regime has brought. It is the gateway through which our citizens, including young people, can travel freely and learn the experience of other countries.”

Mr. Ambassador, what is more important for Serbia in its integration into the EU: sharing the European values or meeting the European living standards?

“Both the European values and the standards of living are important, as they are naturally intertwined. We are doing this not only to fulfill the requirements of the European Union. We are doing this all for our own sake, to ensure the democratic, economic, and humanitarian transformation of our society and to raise the people’s standards of living. We are doing it all for our citizens, for the development of the country as a whole.”

Is NATO integration a prospect for your country?

“We maintain a good relationship with NATO. It is based on the Partnership for Peace program. The cooperation with the Alliance is a boon for our country as it boosts the development of our armed forces, as well as the security system of both our country and the whole region. We are convinced that this cooperation will develop successfully in the future.

“As far as NATO membership goes, our parliament has passed a decision under which Serbia has a status of a neutral nation. Meanwhile, we take part in various international military peacemaking missions. We want to be a subject of international relations, contribute to the processes of stabilization, and fight terrorism.”

Many experts consider the neutral status to be an anachronism. Look at Finland and Sweden, which cooperate as NATO’s full-fledged partners. No one can call them neutral nations nowadays.

“As I have already said, our cooperation with NATO is going well. The Alliance member nations also appreciate cooperation with Serbia. We are surrounded by the Alliance countries, and we do not wish to be an enclave. Therefore, we are interested in the cooperation within the Partnership for Peace program.

“The main thing about such a cooperation is that it guarantees the security of our country, and we are ready to join any process which helps solve the problems of safety on the Balkans, in Europe, and throughout the world. We are interested in developing mutually profitable, comprehensive relations with our neighbors, and this is the prerequisite of our country’s joining the EU.”

And how does your country see the solution to the Kosovo problem?

“The status of Kosovo is a painful and extremely complicated problem for Serbia. At present, it is being considered by the International Court in the Hague. We are waiting to hear what this court will pronounce about the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo. In our opinion, it was done through violating the norms of the international law.

“Our arguments, on the contrary, fall in line with the principal postulates and principles of international law. As you understand, we are very much interested in the protection of our country’s territorial integrity. No country in the world will give up a part of its territory and nation.

“Despite this being a very grave problem, we still want to solve it through negotiations, finding a compromise that will suit all the parties involved and take into account the interests of the Kosovo Albanians.

“We have support from many nations, Ukraine in particular, who has refused to acknowledge the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo. Likewise, many nations are reluctant to acknowledge Kosovo’s independence as they realize that some day, this problem may befall the territorial integrity of their countries.

“As we believe that the question of Kosovo should be solved by political methods and through negotiations, our government transferred this acute political problem into the legal plane.”

The world financial crisis has affected all countries. According to the mass media, your country, just as Ukraine, had to request loans from the IMF. How is Serbia handling this challenge, and how easy is it to negotiate with the IMF?

“Due to this crisis, we encountered grave economic problems which are making a negative impact on the living standard of our people and the development of economy and society as a whole. International financial support is very important in fighting off the crisis.

“Our country has a program for cooperation with the IMF, just like yours. It is not an easy matter to conduct negotiations with this fund, and at times our positions differ. Nevertheless, it is necessary to find compromises while working with the IMF.

“On the one hand, the country needs political and social stability to make provision for people’s life, while on the other, we have to implement reforms, which are not always popular. However, without these reforms we will be unable to find a way out of the crisis. We need the support from the IMF, and we appreciate it.

“Besides, getting loans from this fund is a sign for international investors who, seeing Serbia’s successful cooperation with the IMF, WB, and other financial institutions, consider investing into our country a trustworthy enterprise.”

Which recommendations from the IMF were easy to accept and which caused controversy?

“Controversial recommendations were those concerning the social sphere, salaries, and pensions. There are different opinions as to the effect of salary and pension freeze on the economy. On the one hand, it deteriorates the living standards, and on the other, hampers the economy. Balancing this process, especially under crisis conditions, is a laborious and responsible task.”

Let us look at our countries’ mutual relations. You mentioned the importance of the visa-free regime with the EU for your country. Can Serbia be expected to take a similar approach towards Ukraine?

“I believe we will work in the direction of lifting the visa regime between our countries. Although I can tell you that Ukrainians can easily obtain a visa, it will only take one day. The visa regime between our countries is very mild. Yet we should aspire to lift even such a mild visa regime! This question should be addressed at the negotiations within the framework of the meetings of the Ministries of Internal Affairs, and removed from the agenda.”

How did the crisis affect the trade and economic cooperation between our countries?

“Before the crisis, the bilateral trade had been steadily growing, and in 2008 it reached almost one billion dollars. Unfortunately, due to the crisis, the figures dropped by 52 percent last year. We have to work together and direct our efforts at stopping the further decrease in the trade and renewing its growth.

“Firstly, we must renew the work of the intergovernmental commission, which has been virtually inactive for a long time. At this stage, we might sum up, exchange ideas, and map out the prospects for further economic cooperation. We hope that this year the commission meeting will be held on a high level.

“Another mechanism can be seen in signing an agreement on free trade between our countries. Ukraine is a WTO member, and we also aspire to membership in this organization. In this respect, Ukraine’s support is very important for us. We hope to get this support so as to be able to solve the economic problems in a different way.

“We must do away with all the existing hindrances to the free operation of businesses. We have to organize business forums, exhibits, and other events, to enable our entrepreneurs to meet one another.

“We have to revive the dialog on the high and highest level and make it a regular practice. The exchange of ideas and information can be very useful. And the most important thing is making everyone, from top to bottom, implement the necessary measures.

“It is hard to overestimate the opportunities for our countries’ mutual cooperation. Moreover, it is possible in many spheres, from tourism to agricultural industry to virtually all branches of industry.”

Mr. Ambassador, our readers would be interested to know your opinion concerning our country. You have been to Ukraine before, and now, you have been head of the diplomatic mission in Kyiv for more than half a year, so you can make comparisons.

“So far, I have not had an opportunity to visit the regions and see more of the country. Meanwhile, I have been looking at it from my standpoint in Kyiv, so to speak. I have available information about our business owners, who work in various cities here.

“As to the working atmosphere, I can say that your officials and ordinary citizens are very kind. In this country, there exists a friendly predisposition towards our people and Serbia. The atmosphere between our states and our nations is warm and well-wishing.

“I can assure you that you will see the same in Serbia. It is a crucial moment for the development of all kinds of cooperation, in particular, in the cultural sphere. The roots of this friendship run deep, so we must make use of it for the development of our relations.

“I have very positive impressions of your country. I came here at a very interesting moment, before the presidential election. I was following the events closely and I consider Ukraine to be a democratic nation. You have a new president, a new coalition, and a new government.

“Judging from the official statements, the main political vector is towards reforms. It is a correct and promising direction. Proceeding from Serbia’s practice and experience, I can say that it is impossible to do anything without reforms, impossible to solve the social, political, and economic problems.

“Besides, I can see that your international policy is well-balanced in terms of the development of cooperation with the West and East. Good relationships with everyone are a prerequisite to the defense of the nation’s interests, the guarantee of its successful development and stability in this part of the world.”