Germany urges Serbia to align Russia policy with EU to advance membership bid

Germany has warned Serbia that it must fully align its foreign and security policies with the European Union — including its stance towards Russia — if it hopes to progress towards EU membership.

Speaking in Belgrade on November 17, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Serbia needed to demonstrate that it “is on a clear path towards the European Union,” Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

He stressed that accession candidates are expected to support the bloc’s common foreign policy.

“Ukraine is fighting a battle for freedom, not just for itself, but for all of Europe,” Wadephul said after meeting Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric.

“We need a clear commitment of support from all states of the European Union itself, as well as from the accession countries.”

Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vucic, has long attempted to balance the country’s EU ambitions with its close ties to Russia and China. Belgrade relies heavily on Russian gas, and the country’s only oil refiner — the Russia-owned NIS — is under US sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine.

Although Serbia has declined to join Western sanctions on Moscow since the 2022 invasion, it has condemned Russian actions at the United Nations and other international bodies.

By Aghakazim Guliyev