Serbia remains on EU path despite delay, premier says

BELGRADE, Serbia – Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says Serbia remains on the path toward EU membership though the bloc has further delayed talks with the Balkan country.

Vucic said Friday he is “disappointed” by this week’s decision but that it will not affect Serbia’s “strategic road and determination.”

“Serbia intends to remain on the EU road,” Vucic said. “If we have done something wrong, tell us.”

The troubled nation has sought to join the EU after years of isolation during the war era in the 1990s. Belgrade has become a candidate nation but is still waiting to open the next stage in the negotiations.

Vucic says they could continue in July or September.

There are fears the delay could play into hands of the pro-Russian groups advocating abolishing the EU membership bid in favour of closer ties with Russia.

Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic — who has close ties to Moscow — has called the EU decision not to open a next negotiating stage with Serbia “shameful and humiliating.”

Balkan integration into the EU is considered key for stability of the volatile region.