Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Serbia to discuss the country’s European Union membership aspirations and strengthen bilateral ties. The visit included a series of meetings with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, focusing on regional cooperation and Serbia’s economic progress.
Key Takeaways
- Tusk emphasized Poland’s support for Serbia’s EU path, stating that the EU is incomplete without Serbia.
- The discussions included Serbia’s economic success and its role in regional initiatives like the Open Balkan initiative.
- Tusk’s visit is part of a broader diplomatic engagement by EU leaders in the Western Balkans.
Overview of the Visit
Tusk’s visit to Belgrade on October 23 was marked by a tete-a-tete meeting with President Vučić, followed by a plenary session with both Serbian and Polish delegations. The agenda included discussions on energy cooperation, mining, and green transformation, highlighting the potential for economic collaboration between the two nations.
During a press conference, Tusk reiterated Poland’s commitment to Serbia’s EU integration, stating, "Poland will take over the EU presidency soon, and enlargement and the closest possible cooperation with Serbia will be my priority during the Polish presidency." He acknowledged Serbia’s economic achievements, noting that a strong Serbia benefits the EU as a whole.
Diplomatic Dinner
Later that evening, President Vučić hosted a dinner in honor of Tusk and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This gathering provided an opportunity for the leaders to exchange views on current European events and discuss strategies for overcoming common challenges. Vučić expressed pride in representing Serbia as a responsible partner in building a better future for the region.
Regional Cooperation
Tusk’s visit comes amid a series of high-profile diplomatic engagements in Serbia, including visits from leaders such as China’s President Xi Jinping and France’s Emmanuel Macron. Vučić has been actively promoting Serbia’s role in regional cooperation, particularly through initiatives like the Berlin Process and the Open Balkan initiative, which aims to enhance economic collaboration among the Western Balkan countries.
Future Prospects
The discussions between Tusk and Vučić also touched on geopolitical issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Tusk expressed his hope for a more unified policy in Europe, emphasizing that Poland and Serbia share common interests. He stated, "EU enlargement must include Serbia because there is no complete EU without Serbia."
As Serbia continues its diplomatic offensive, the visit by Tusk underscores the EU’s renewed interest in the Western Balkans and the importance of Serbia’s integration into the European community. With European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen scheduled to visit soon, the momentum for Serbia’s EU aspirations appears to be gaining traction.
Sources
- Polish Prime Minister in Serbia: Tete-a-tete meeting with Vučić; This is a detailed agenda of the visit – B92, B92.
- Tusk: Poland supports Serbia’s EU path, EU incomplete without Serbia, tanjug.rs.
- Serbia continues diplomatic offensive as EU leaders land in Belgrade, Intellinews.
- EU enlargement must include Serbia, says Polish PM in Belgrade, TVP World.
- Vučić and Tusk: I won’t hide it, Tusk would like to see full compliance of Serbia with the EU – B92, B92.
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