European Council President Donald Tusk said that he would call EU Member States to step up support to Western Balkans countries in tackling refugee crisis and said he was hoping that European Council would soon make a decision to open first negotiating chapters with Serbia.
At a joint press conference held with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Tusk said that reason for his visit was first and foremost the dramatic migration and refugee crisis that Serbia is facing.
“The figures are huge. Thousands of people are crossing your borders every day. This is not sustainable and we cannot rely on any single partner; we must continue working on a comprehensive approach. This also means working with all partners in Africa, the Middle East, and here in your region,” said Tusk.
According to him, recent events have only confirmed his conviction that effective border control is absolutely essential. It is not the solution to all our problems but it is a necessary precondition to move forward.
“It is even an obligation we have all signed up to. Controlling our borders has to be done in a coordinated way, to avoid negative repercussions. Due to the lack of effective controls on the external EU, some countries in the region are strengthening controls at their borders. We cannot condemn them for doing so,” said Tusk.
As he put it, such a challenge requires close cooperation between Belgrade and Brussels and Serbia can rely on the European Union’s continued financial support.
“I will call on EU leaders to step up our support to the Western Balkans countries, who are on the frontline in this crisis. If we are serious about saving Schengen, we have to be serious about our support Western Balkans,” Tusk said.
European Council President said the EU had already done plenty to support Serbia, reminding that Brussels allocated emergency funds to increase accommodation capacity by 6,000 and announced that the Union would continue its support as of ! January 2016.
“We are working to enhance security cooperation and now we have to speed it up,” said Tusk.
According to him, the crisis was not created by Serbia and the EU was working on securing the borders in Greece and referring Frontex to Greek-Macedonian border to register and carry out the screening of migrants.
These measures, as he stressed, should reduce the influx of migrants to Serbia.
“We are determined to stand by Serbia and this is the message I have brought from Brussels. I assure you that Brussels remains your close friend,” said Tusk.
Speaking about Serbia’s European path, Donald Tusk said he hoped to see first chapters opened very soon.
Tusk said the EU appreciated Prime Minister Vucic for Serbia’s achievements and progress on this path.
“I am convinced that the Prime Minister will continue to do all he can to bring Serbia closer to the European Union, a relationship of tremendous value to us,” said Tusk and added: “I strongly believe that the future of the Western Balkans lies inside the European Union, and there is no better alternative future for the region”.
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said that intense talks have been going on with the EU and that the solution for the increased influx of migrants lied in a comprehensive and common action.
“Citizens have nothing to worry about. We are strong enough to remain respectful of European values and at the same time protect our own interest,” Vucic said.
He said that, should the neighbouring countries deny access to economic migrants, Serbia would do the same, but reaffirmed that Serbia would erect no barbed wires and walls on its borders.
Serbian Prime Minister thanked for the support on Serbia’s European path and said he was hoping that opening of first negotiating chapters would be celebrated in December.
