Krystian Kamiński.
The September-October Eurobarometer survey on the approach of Western Balkan societies to the European Union brings interesting results. The survey raised questions about trust in the EU and the assessment of possible integration with the Union. The top assurance in the EU and its institutions was expressed by respondents from Albania (81%), Montenegro (75%) and Kosovo (70%). any smaller indicators were recorded in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (56% each). However, Serbia stands out from the region – only 38% of respondents declare assurance in the EU, while most, due to the fact that 56%, express a deficiency of assurance in the Union.
Similar differences are noted in the question of assessing possible EU membership. 83% of Albanians, 71% of Montenegro, 65% of Kosovo's population, 63% of North Macedonia's citizens, 55% of Bosnia and Herzegovina's respondents, but only 32% of Serbs, indicated that membership was a affirmative option. Importantly, in Serbia, the percent of people who see EU membership as neutral ("neither good nor bad") is as advanced as 38%, surpassing those who think it would be bad (30%).
ROAD SERBIA
The September-October Eurobarometer survey on the approach of Western Balkan societies to the European Union brings interesting results. The survey raised questions about trust in the EU and the assessment of possible integration with the Union. The top assurance in... pic.twitter.com/veiKjLxx95
It is clear that Serbian society remains more sceptical towards the EU than the people of another countries in the region. This attitude provides crucial political backgrounds for Alexander Vučic and his Serbian Progressive organization (SNS), providing them with any opposition to force from EU institutions. However, distrust is not one-sided, and scepticism towards Serbia is besides increasing among any EU associate States. The last gathering of ambassadors to the EU showed this clearly: Hungary's proposal to open another chapter of the accession negotiations rejected 7 countries – Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and Croatia. The reasons are among others.allegations of violation of the regulation of law, failure to join sanctions against Russia and unresolved relations with Kosovo.
The challenges facing Serbia can force increasingly hard decisions on Vučić. On the 1 hand, the expanding force from the West, on the another hand, the closer relation with China opens up fresh opportunities for Serbia, but at the same time raises questions about the long-term consequences of economical and political dependence, which may conflict with the existing balancing policy.
Serbia is at the intersection of global influences. Aleksandar Vučić faces the request to balance national interests, social aspirations and pressures from the West and the East. As long as he manages to keep a balance policy, he remains open. Its ability to conduct a comprehensive abroad policy will be crucial for Serbia's future, both in the context of its relation with the European Union and in the wider global system.
