David McAllister’s interview for daily „Blic“
After the visit to our country, David McAllister says that Serbia is ready to open three new chapters in the negotiations with EU by the end of this year, explaining also where the authorities’ and opposition’s stances are in a disarray and what he thinks of president Vucic’s call for a dialogue on Kosovo.
During his visit to Serbia, McAllister met with the representatives of the authorities and the opposition to discuss hot topics in our country, and, as he says, based on everything heard, he is starting to work on his next report to be presented to the European Parliament. He told Blic when the next European Commission report on the progress of our country.
What is your basic conclusion after two-day talks with Serbia’s political representatives? What can we expect in the report?
– As the Rapporteur for Serbia, I consider my duty to come to your country regularly, so I have come to Belgrade to listen. As I have done in 2015, then 2016 and now, 2017, when I come to Serbia, I meet government representatives, parliamentaries, both of the majority and the opposition, civic society, media… And I begin to work on my next report which I will present to the European Parliament. I expect the Commission to present its next report on Serbia’s progress in April 2018. So we will have discussions in the European Parliament nex autumn. I used the opportunity to meet with the Committee for European Integration and with the Parliament in order to announce that I will remain Rapporteur for Serbia despite my new function in Germany, because I have another report to do before next EU elections, but also because I want to show my personal committment to Serbia. I had great talks with the President, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, but also with the opposition leaders. Of course, the authorities and the opposition have a different image of the political situation in Serbia, but this is the case in all countries, and my main message is – I personally believe that next chapters should be open in 2017. Several chapters are technically well prepared in order to be opened or not. This is what I discussed with the negotiation team.
What are the main differences in opinions between the authorities and the opposition?
– Mostly they have different views on the economic development, functioning of democracy and media freedom in Serbia. I have carefully listened to all objections coming from the opposition and thoroughly consider the facts and make the report, after which the Commission will deal with more thoroughly and in more details. They were very open and direct, they criticised progress in Serbia and it is my duty to listen. I have tried to present my report as balanceed as possible and I am proud of the fact that my report on Serbia got a majority support in the EU parliament. Despite the fact there are different views on certain parts of the Serbian politics, there is a consensus in the EP, from Conservatives, Liberals, Socialdemocrats, to Greens… How we see a general progress in Serbia, and the general consensus is – we want to support our country as we can.
Vuk Jeremic and Sasa Jankovic did not attend a meeting. Have they called you to explain reasons for their absence?
– My programme was organised by the EU delegation, except that this time I had less time. We decided that, instead of meeting the opposition representatives one by one, as I had done during previous visits, this time we had a meeting with the leaders of the opposition together since there have been certain topics we could discuss together, like rule of law, functioning of the parliament, what the general situation about democracy has been. I am glad that four leaders of the opposition have accepted my invitation, but, I know how the life of a politician is, sometimes it is really not possible to coordinate everything. I am fully relaxed about it. I do not know the reasons why they have not shown up, but holidays are still ongoing, and it is possible that they have been out of town. Like I met Tadic, Radulovic, Jovanovic and Sutanovac this time, I had met them before and I would meet them again. I met Vuk Jeremic before, as well as Sasa Jankovic while he was ombudsman. My doors in Brussels are always open for Serbian politicians, no matter whether they are representatives of the authorities or the opposition, as long as they are following constructive pro-European approach.
You mentioned that you believed that we would open new chapters by the end of 2017. Which chapters are the most important?
– Those which are ready on the technical level for opening are Chapter 6 (Company Law), Chapter 30 (External Relations – Joint Trade Policy) and Chapter 33 (Financial And Budgetary Provisions). What I have made clear during my conversations with all my interlocutors was that, at the end of the day, Serbia must fulfil all conditions for EU membership, which means that the state must open and close all 35 chapters. Thus, all 35 chapters are equally important as all criteria must be fulfilled. At the same time, when we talk about negotiations’ framework, chapters related to the rule of law, 23 and 24, are especially taken into consideration, on one hand, and continuation of Serbia’s engagement, through steps towards more visible and more sustainable improvement of relations with Kosovo, which is discussed within Chapter 35. SO my message would be – keep on, go forward.
When you mention Kosovo… Have you spoken with President Vucic about his call for a dialogue? What do you think about it?
– The President told me in details why he has launched this initiative, what would be its goal and I asked him how a dialogue could be structured. I am German and European official and in local, Serbian politics, I put myself strictly neutral. However, I would like to stress that I welcome his initiative and I would like to encourage Serbian society, politicians, representatives of religous communities, civic society, business community… to enter a dialogue and try to find what could be a solution for normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina on sustainable level.
You are a member o CDU, do you believe in Angela Merkel’s electoral victory?
– Germany is now in this electoral mood, campaigns have already started. The polls are good for us (CDU), they show we have 15 percent advantage compared to Social-Democrats (SPD). But what we know as experienced politicians is that what happens on the election day is the only thing that counts. The atmosphere in Germany is very positive about Angela Merkel and her ruling coalition (CDU-CSU), but the turnout on September 24 will be crucial so we have to address our voters to come out and cast their balots. We still have enough time, we will call on German people to give as a vote for a new mandate, for a clear mandate of a new government and I think that, despite some problems, Germany is a good country in this difficult times. Our economy has been progressing well 10 years in a row. We have a sufici in the state budget, which was unimaginable several years ago, we have the lowest unemployment rate since early 1990s, and the lowest unemployment rate among youth population in the whole EU. Our motto is – We are for Germany where people want to live a happy life. We are grateful for our position being so great, but we also know – strong Europe and strong Germany go hand in hand.
Elections in Germany are followed with great attention throughout Europe. Why they are important not only for Germany?
– Of course they are not crucial only for Germany’s future. Of course, every general elections in Germany are related to future orientation of our state. The alternative to the Government and Chancellor Merkel would be a coalition of the Socialists, the Greens and the former communists and that would lead Germany towards another and not so good path. That is why we want to become even more stronger and after the elections, look for coalition partners in order to implement our manifesto together. These elections are causing great interest throughout Europe because, of course, Angela is seen as a pillar of stability not only in Germany, but she is also a very strong figure in relation to the future of EU. Of course, it is of benefit for EU if Germany, as the biggest nation, has strong and stable government. But we, Germans, know something – our future is closely linked to the future of Europe and that is why we are committed to strong EU and want to strenghtern European institutions and I think that, after German elections, you will see some concrete initiatives by Paris and Berlin, together with their partners on how to confront the greatest challenges in Europe.
What are those challenges at this moment?
– My personal approach to European politics will always be that Europe should be big for big things, and small for small ones. I do not want EU to deal with every single problem in Europe.No, we have to give space to member countries, regional and local administrations, while big challenges, which we can settle only on the European level, and the international one, this is where we need strong EU. I think we need stronger cooperation in solving the migration crisis, in security issues and we need concrete steps to make our currency, Euro, stronger.
Angela Merkel is Serbia’s friend. Will it remain so if she wins a new mandate?
– Angela Merkel and the Government have shown strong committment to Western Balkans region. There is a good reason for naming the Berlin process as such because, together with its partner, France, Italy and Great Britain, we have launched this initiative because we wish the Western Balkans to develop further. It is no coincidence that Angela Merkel’s German Demochristians are inclined towards Serbia because I strongly believe that all Western Balkan countries should have European perspective. Of course, it is your decision at the end, but we are calling you to join us and we believe that benefits are not only for business, but also for each Serbian family. So, yes, Angela has shown committment and she will continue doing so. What I like about Berlin process is that we are focused on concrete projects and what Angela Merkel is doing is connecting – connecting people, building bridges. But not only symbolically, bit also in infrastructure: highways, railways, closer cooperation in the energy field… This is the infrastructure which connects people and that is why I strongly support initiative for youth exchange between Balkan states. The best historical example is German-French Youth Initiative which was the cornerstone for reconciliation and now, the closest friendship we have is the German-French one. That is why I will always support Balkan politicians who advocate reconciliation policy, regional cooperation and good neighbouring relations. History has thought us – stability in the Balkans is the key, if there is instability here, this spreads, so your problems are our problems, but your hopes are our hopes. That is why I like to come here and Serbia has so many friends in Brussels form all political parties which want to help Serbia and other Western Balkan countries.
A Gift from Vucic
– At the press conference, I said in Serbian: „I love Serbia – because Serbia is such a proud nation. “ and I have learnt that thanks to so many conversations with President Vucic and I read so many books on Serbian history. During my last visit, Vucic gave me a book on Serbian histroy in 19th and 20th century, and you are such a proud nation and wonderful people. I believe that Serbia and the Serbs would make a very valued contribution to our family of nations and that is why we suport the EU path.
