Brnabic in Paris: France is the strongest advocate of the rights of Serbs in Kosovo

President of the National Assembly of Serbia Ana Brnabic stated today in Paris that France is the strongest advocate of the rights of Serbs in Kosovo and that, in international organizations and institutions, it continues to point to the difficult position of the Serbian people and the need for the European Union to change its stance on this issue, RTV reports.

Brnabic expressed her gratitude to the members of the French Parliament who, as she emphasized, have been particularly vocal in insisting that France should take a different approach toward Kosovo.

“This is something that distinguishes France from other EU member states. France is the greatest advocate for the rights of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and, in all international organizations and forums — within both the European Commission and the European Council — it continues to highlight how impossible life is for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and how the EU’s stance on this issue must change,” Brnabic told journalists after her meetings with the President of the French National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, and the President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher.

Brnabic also said that the issue of opening Cluster 3 on Serbia’s path toward EU membership is a political one, noting that there are double standards within the Union that are not beneficial even for the EU itself. She added that she has been pointing this out in her talks with European counterparts, Tanjug reports.

Responding to a journalist’s question about how Serbia convinces its European partners that it is ready to open Cluster 3, Brnabic said that Serbia’s main argument — which it keeps repeating — is that it was already ready for this step back in December 2021.

“If we respect the principle of meritocracy, Cluster 3 should have been opened long ago. However, as circumstances change, we keep receiving additional tasks to complete, and once we fulfill them, all that remains is hope and faith that we won’t be given new tasks again,” Brnabic said.

She emphasized that the matter ultimately depends on the political will of EU member states.

Brnabic pointed out that it is “somewhat unbelievable” that Albania will likely open all clusters by the end of this year.

“No one can convince us that Albania is more prepared than Serbia for European integration — that the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against organized crime, or the fight against corruption in Albania are at a higher level than in Serbia. Not even the people within the European Union itself can believe that. This clearly demonstrates the existence of double standards,” the Speaker of the Parliament said.

She added that double standards are not good for the European Union itself, and that, for that reason, even if Serbia were to do nothing more, it would still be appropriate to open Cluster 3.

Brnabic underlined that Serbia will do everything it has promised — first and foremost, the adoption of amendments to the Law on the Electoral Roll, which is scheduled to be debated in the National Assembly next week.

She added that she hopes the long-awaited appointment of new members to the REM Council will also finally take place.

“I think there is nothing left that we haven’t already done to keep all participants in the process engaged, but there are political obstacles. Unfortunately, there are many people who claim to be pro-European, yet in fact do everything they can to block Serbia’s European integration — and I mean people in Serbia,” Brnabic said.

She also pointed out that double standards are evident when comparing elections in Albania and Serbia, noting that while Albania will have opened all clusters by the end of the year, Serbia is still discussing amendments to the Law on the Electoral Roll.

“But we want to remain on the European path. That is why it is important for me to always remind our interlocutors that they must uphold the same standards — so that we can explain to our citizens what progress toward the European Union truly looks like,” Brnabic underlined.

During her meetings in Paris with her French counterparts, the Speaker also discussed this issue and expressed hope that Serbia will receive the support of all EU member states.

“The opening of Cluster 3 does not depend solely on us or on France, but on all member states. Here we have friends who make calls on the sidelines of various conferences to lobby for Serbia,” Brnabic said.

Brnabic emphasized that France is a great friend and ally of Serbia, and that this was reaffirmed today during her meetings with French officials in Paris. She stressed that France is one of the countries that supports Serbia the most within the European family.

She noted that the talks in Paris also covered bilateral cooperation, which, in her view, is steadily improving.

“Political cooperation is certainly at its best point in our history. We have a strategic partnership and excellent cooperation between our two presidents — President Aleksandar Vučic and President Emmanuel Macron,” the Speaker said.

According to her, the increasingly strong economic cooperation of the past five years has followed the development of these good political relations.

She underlined that there is a growing presence of major French companies active in Serbia.

“Cooperation in the field of defense is also improving and culminated in the purchase of 12 Rafale aircraft. Many other topics are open for future cooperation, especially in the energy sector. But what I believe is most important for our people — for all our citizens — is to know that France is a true friend, a great ally of Serbia, and that this was confirmed once again today,” Brnabic said.

She will participate later today in the Paris Peace Forum and attend a working dinner hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.