Following Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin’s visit to Vladivostok on Wednesday 4 September, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin, the European Union reacted on Thursday 5 September by pointing out that such relations were “incompatible” with Serbia’s desire to join the EU.
“We expect Serbia to refrain from strengthening its ties and contacts with Russia (...), as this is incompatible with the ongoing accession process, including alignment with EU foreign policy and decisions”, said Peter Stano, spokesman for the European Union’s diplomatic service.
Serbia is “an ally of Russia”, said Mr Vulin in a speech, adding that, “led by Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia will never become a member of NATO, impose sanctions on Russia or allow anti-Russian actions to be carried out from its territory”.
Last July, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, criticised Serbia’s refusal to follow the EU in imposing sanctions on Vladimir Putin’s regime (see EUROPE 13456/17). (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)