After the referenda: a Serbian comment on the future of Europe

Aleksandra Bobic*


Only less then two months ago in Serbia we were anxiously and impatiently expecting the Commission result on a Stabilization and Association Agreement. On April 12th it was finally announced that the Commission confirmed sufficient progress to open negotiations! “This is the beginning of European road for Serbia and Montenegro”, they said, yet even the biggest optimists among supporters of European ideas and values were happy and content but cautious. At the same time nationalists and skeptics kept repeating maliciously that even Turkey has a positive result for decades and yet nothing has happened. The French and Dutch “No” to the constitution of European Union couldn't arrive at a worse time. For all, but especially for candidates and pretender countries. Since 2000 the European family never looked so distant. Officially, nothing changed. This is the most repeated sentences in lasts few days, from all parts of Europe, and from all governmental officials in Belgrade. Reassurances are made that the process will go on and the latest events won't influence it. Generally speaking the prospect of European integration is accepted process for the majority of Serbian population, although almost equivalent majority is not aware of its actual meaning. But further more, this prospect lies in the far future and EU supporters are hoping the problems inside the European Union will be settled by the time Serbia’s accession comes on the agenda. On the other hand, moving in this way is only one way of reforming society which is necessary anyway. The EU’s support to the country is sometimes seen as more political and declarative rather than one which takes into account the discrepancy of financial assistance to Serbia in comparison to other, indeed candidate countries, in the region. Some analysts are warning though that EU could close the door for some time and try to consolidate first. The opposition of European integration doesn't waste time: is it worth the trouble? Is it worth responding every European demand desperately when even they are finally opposing idea that wish to eliminate all nations and their identities? Supporters are asking is it possible that the same xenophobic idea has won in France and Holland? But euro-skepticism is most probably motivated by economical and social reasons, it is directed against politicians and their vision of Europe and it is not pointed against the European idea. The European idea that has been a goal and ideal to all young democrats in Western Balkans. It will be difficult now to keep on with the reforms, to keep defending that idea in public. Hopefully the euro-skepticism won't get any stronger and the crises will be soon overcome. The fragile democracy will probably suffer turbulences; this will be another difficult test... For all. But, for the end I saved the most funny and very amusing comment of a young Serbian man: ”I cant wait to become part of the European Union so that even I can vote against the Constitution!”. I think that this is pretty much the spirit of opposition among young people even in EU countries. They wouldn't betray ideals though... Or would they?

June 2005

*Aleksandra Bobic is correspondent from Italy of the Serbian newspaper "Vecernje novosti"


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After the referenda: a Serbian comment on the future of Europe