After Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić attended a military parade in Moscow, a group of British MPs demands from their government a change in its attitude towards Belgrade. In the letter, they accuse Vučić of authoritarianism, destabilization of the Balkans and ignoring European values
A group of more than 20 members British Parliament requested a "significant change" in Great Britain's foreign policy in relation to Serbia after the presence of President Aleksandar Vučić military parade in Moscow on May 9.
In a letter to the British Foreign Minister, which was signed by 25 other MPs, the member of the British Parliament Emma Level asked for a "significant change in approach" towards Serbia, after the presence of President Vučić at the military parade in Moscow on May 9, reports Radio Free Europe.
The letter assessed, among other things, that Serbia under Vučić strengthened ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as "the only country that is a candidate for the European Union that has not imposed any sanctions on Russia, despite the terrible crimes committed against Ukraine since 2014."
"Furthermore, President Vučić is seeking to destabilize Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider Balkan region, working closely with Putin's Russia," the letter stated.
The MPs also stated that during Vučić's rule, Serbia recorded a "significant democratic setback, with constant attacks on the media, political opposition and civil society, widespread corruption, which contributed to mass protests against his government in recent months."
British governments, as stated, continuously supported Serbia's Euro-Atlantic integration, hoping that it would lead to freedom, economic prosperity, respect for human and civil rights, and draw Serbia away from Putin's Russia.
"While this was once a laudable goal, the events of May 9 demonstrate once and for all that Vučić's government has no interest in severing ties with Russia, while actively promoting ultra-nationalist, expansionist ideas of a 'Greater Serbia', which risks bringing the Balkans back into bloody conflict," the MPs assessed in the letter, stating that they therefore request a change of course, starting with a series of "targeted sanctions against President Vučić's associates, his government and associates, and the use of all diplomatic means necessary to let's encourage our allies to follow suit."
"If we do not send a strong message to the Serbian government now, we risk strengthening the determination of the Vučić regime and failing to prevent the collapse of the fragile security situation in the Balkans," the MPs wrote.
The MPs also expressed support for "students who are protesting in Serbia and citizens who are looking for a better future for their country, free from authoritarianism and corruption."
Source: FoNet
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