Reuten: Serbia's government is problematic, Kosovo situation should not be further destabilised

Dutch Eurodeput Thijs Reuten says Serbia is currently leading a troubled government.

He says no international supporter of European values expects Belgrade to continue with fraud.

Eurodeputti has said it is the media that are controlled by the Serbian government with their narratives, which are also affecting citizens of Serbia.

We are facing a troubled government. I am not against Serbia or the Serbian people, but we have problems with the government. We must clearly tell the Serbian authorities what we expect from them and what we do not expect. We do not want them to come to Brussels and say that Serbia's goal is to become a member and then when they return to Belgrade not to say such beautiful words about the European road. Sometimes they even decide to board a plane and go to Moscow instead of participating in talks at the European level”, Reuten said.

“We should be more committed to the Serbian government even when it comes to demands that the situation in Kosovo not further destabilise. The European Union should be harsher towards Serbia when it comes to these things”, he said.

Asked how he interprets recent public opinion polls, which have shown that support for the EU and European integration has dropped, he thinks “should be viewed from the point of view that it is the information that is served to”.

The “Medias are under government control and attends the gear government imposes. I am also available for this kind of debate, because it is a debate about the European future of ordinary citizens. They can gain much on the path of the euro and lose much if Serbia is a destabilising factor in the region,” he said.

Asked whether his message could reach the citizens of Serbia, he says he hopes.

“Although Serbia is not yet an EU member, I think it is in the interest of Serbian citizens and in our interest to seek environmental protection when it comes to these projects. This is the basic principle when a trust and transparent business is built. I believe it's in people's interest, but we have to put it in a context where we're helping companies and actors from both sides to follow the rules. It is good to cooperate, but co-operation must be according to law”, he points out.