Failure to impose sanctions on Russia: Two parties in Netherlands want Serbia to return visas

Dutch media, NOS, reports that VVD and PvdA -- the two political parties in Amsterdam -- want a new EU membership candidates' accession procedure proposed in Brussels. Thus, countries that do not support EU foreign policy would be excluded.

Serbia is a candidate for membership in the European Union and therefore receives billions of euros in aid, VVD deputy Van Wijgaarden has written. In a motion he will present today with PvdA, the parties write that the European Commission should be able to deal with membership candidates that do not comply with Brussels' foreign policy.

Serbia wants to remain in Russia's favour and at the same time become an EU member, in other words eat it in both ways”, VVD member Van Wijngaarden said. “in addition, they want to maintain visa-free travel, but the country also acts as a transit port for illegal migrants. If the Serbian government continues to follow this course, both the EU membership process and visa-free travel for Serbs should be suspended”.

According to PvdA deputy, Piri, the common foreign policy is a “reflection of values founded on by the EU: promoting democracy, rule of law and human rights”. If a candidate country has problems with these basic principles, it says it is “that only logical to produce consequences”.