ACIPS: EU Offer to Serbia an Insult to Pro-European Forces in BiH

30 January 2008

The European Union offer to Serbia to sign the section of the SAA on strengthening of trade and economic cooperation and to start negotiations on visa liberalization and education is a previously unseen precedent in EU integration policies, comments Alumni Association of Interdisciplinary Post-graduate Studies (ACIPS).

Clearly, it is a form of political support for moderate forces in Serbia before the second round of Elections this Sunday, believes ACIPS, adding that Brussels doesn�t even try to hide that. This is possible compensation for the loss of Kosovo, but also a negative message to BiH about the inferior status of the country in EU affairs and the dependence on political situation in the neighbouring country.

In addition, the invitation to start negotiation on total abolition of visa regime is an insult for holders of BiH passports, since Serbia hasn�t exhibited increased maturity or democratic progress compared bo BiH.

ACIPS emphasizes that the decision, lamentably, is a great disappointment for all pro-European citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina and will contribute to mistrust towards EU and integration prospects.

- BiH citizens deserve at least equal, if not privileged position in the process than Serbia, concludes ACIPS.