Savic: EU can condition Pristina with the Growth Plan funds, but the goal is to pressure Serbia

Economist Ljubodrag Savic believes that the EU could use funds from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans as a mechanism to pressure and condition Pristina for not taking steps to reduce tensions and normalize relations with Serbia, however, he says that the West is fundamentally on the Albanian side and that all pressures are primarily directed at Belgrade.

He assesses that all measures the West uses against Kosovo are a "farce" and serve only to keep that side "under control."

He points out that even if EU funds are cut off, it will not be a significant problem for Pristina, given that Kosovo's main mentors are "across the ocean."

The method of Western pressure on Serbia has been used since the 1990s and has not stopped, he noted.

"The 'carrot and stick' system applies only to Serbia, and this can be best seen when the Kosovo side abolished the dinar in Kosovo. What was said about taking action – of course, nothing was done. The story of forming the CSM has been going on for a long time, every time with some weak explanation. I believe that if the EU wanted to do this, it could be done in almost seven days, but in essence, they have chosen a side, and that side is not us, despite the public idea that the EU is our destiny. This is something all countries strive for, but I don't think so. I believe they exert blatant pressure and push their interests, choosing their partners. The US came, made a base, participated in the war against Serbia, and clearly sided," Savic pointed out.

Serbia, he adds, is somewhere in between, neither east nor west. He believes the EU actually uses Serbia as needed – sometimes as an ally, sometimes not.

He observes that few countries have been subjected to pressures like Serbia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

Savic also assesses that the West, through the Growth Plan and punitive measures, tries to control and condition the Albanian side, but essentially, the main pressure is on the Serbian side.

"This is still a farce in which any reasonably intelligent person clearly understands what is actually happening – Serbia will get nothing, the Albanian side will get everything, it's just a matter of time and tactics. They don't go 'straight to the head' and probably want to control the Albanian side by setting some deadlines. And these people from Europe who come are there to justify the money, and that's the essence. The goals and solutions are absolutely known, neither benefiting the Serbian people in Serbia nor the Serbian people in Kosovo, who are suffering unprecedented terror in the 21st century, which the EU does not see or does not want to see," he stated.

If funds from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans are cut off for Pristina, the economist says, such a measure will not have much effect, considering that the main help and support for Kosovo comes "across the ocean" and outside the EU's borders.

"Those are not the only funds, and the EU is not the most important for the Albanian side. Their main mentors are across the ocean. It is a small country that doesn't need much money to function well; either Great Britain or the US will always step in," Savic emphasized.

The EU, he explains, is facing a collapse and is trying to keep pace with the US and Great Britain.

"The only ones pulling the real strings are across the ocean, and it will be as the Americans say. This is just a farce with a known outcome – the Serbian side will be marginalized in every way, pushed aside, and nothing will be considered. The Albanians will get everything, it just takes time. They are trying to keep them on a short leash so they don't get out of control," Savic concluded.

Serbia will continue to endure pressures, and it is expected to be conditioned by the Growth Plan funds, he noted, adding that this is nothing new or unexpected.

"We are experiencing all sorts of things, from sanctions to border closures. They even forced us to impose sanctions on the other part of the Serbian people across the Drina, thinking we could achieve something with that. Serbia is being suffocated and pressured; sometimes, they do it to discipline Serbia to act in their interest, and sometimes for other countries to know what will happen if they don't follow Western instructions. Serbia is playing a complex game, and the Serbian leadership is under great pressure. Now, they are persistently pushing us to impose sanctions on Russia," Savic concluded.