**Serbia’s EU Membership Hopes Hit a Roadblock**
A senior European Parliament official has delivered a blow to Serbia’s hopes of joining the European Union. Tonino Picula, the rapporteur for Serbia, said that it is not realistic for Serbia to enter the EU with its current leadership, which he described as sitting on four chairs.
This means that Serbia is trying to maintain good relations with several major powers: the European Union, the United States, Russia, and China. However, Picula pointed out that these countries do not share the same values or goals in many areas. He also noted that Serbia’s leadership has been accused of playing its own games rather than genuinely pursuing EU membership.
**A Multi-Vector Foreign Policy**
Picula explained that Serbia’s foreign policy is guided by four pillars: the European Union, the United States, Russia, and China. While this approach may allow Serbia to maintain relationships with multiple powers, it creates tensions and contradictions. The EU values democracy, freedom of the media, and minority rights, but these are not always respected in Serbia.
**Challenges Ahead**
The path to EU membership is becoming increasingly difficult for Serbia. Montenegro and Albania are currently ahead in the accession process, while North Macedonia is blocked due to bilateral issues. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are at the bottom of the list. Picula warned that even if Serbia were able to meet the necessary standards, its leadership would not allow it to progress too quickly.
**The Croatian MEP’s Verdict**
In his comments, Picula was blunt about President Aleksandar Vucic‘s ambitions. He said that Vucic is more interested in maintaining power and control than in joining the EU. This makes it unlikely that Serbia will be able to meet the necessary standards for membership anytime soon.
**Conclusion**
The chances of Serbia joining the EU have been dealt a significant blow by Tonino Picula’s comments. The country faces many challenges on its path to membership, not least the need for radical change in its leadership and behavior. As the EU continues to evolve, it is clear that only those countries willing to meet its high standards will be able to join.
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