Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi said that the Western Balkans “naturally” belonged in Europe, describing it as a geopolitical investment, not only in terms of security, but also in terms of prosperity and political relations.

During his speech at the interparliamentary conference Through the EU Idea to Peace and Development, hosted by the National Assembly of Serbia, Fabrizi said that the EU Strategy for the Western Balkans was focused on regional cooperation, good neighbourly relations and their further improvement.

“It is a geopolitical investment and not only in terms of security, but also in terms of prosperity and political relations,” Fabrizi said.

Commenting on Serbia’s military neutrality, Fabrizi said that joining the EU did not necessarily mean joining NATO, adding that there are EU Member States that haven’t joined the Alliance. I am glad NATO recognizes Serbia’s military neutrality, he added.

“Joining the EU does not imply joining NATO. There are EU Member States that haven’t joined it. I am glad to know that NATO recognizes Serbia’s military neutrality, because it is important for them to maintain strong cooperation,” Fabrizi said and pointed to Serbia’s contribution to EU peacekeeping missions.

“Security is a key building block of our policy and progress, and Serbia plays an important role in it,” Fabrizi said.

President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Paolo Alli said that the Alliance and the EU played a major role in the Western Balkans and that it was clear to him that Europe cannot be complete without the fully integrated Balkans.

He said that Serbia makes a substantial contribution to stability in the Balkans.

“Stability in the Balkans is the key to stability in Europe and we can see Serbia playing an important role in it,” Paolo said.

Deputy President of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Sergey Kislyak described the state of relations between the EU, NATO and Russia as “disappointing” and “worrying”.

He said that the principles – agreed upon with Western countries concerning NATO’s eastward expansion – are being disregarded.