Von der Leyen with Vučić on numerous topics: She stated that the EU's stance implies freedom, not repression

(Patria) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a joint conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that the European Union's stance implies freedom, not repression, including the right to peaceful assembly.

"We stand for partnership, not subjugation," she added.

As she said, Serbia made the choice to join the EU almost two decades ago and added that she expects Serbia to move towards the Union twice as fast.

"The opportunity for EU membership promises peace, prosperity, and solidarity, especially in times of crisis. You have seen this in practice, take the energy crisis of 2022 as an example, we faced it together, the EU provided the same measures to its Western Balkan partners as to member states. This means that someone is a reliable partner, we are connecting Serbia to the EU energy market, this is a guarantee that Serbian families will be safe and warm. We invited Serbia to join the gas procurement mechanism," said Von der Leyen.

She stated that now is the time for Serbia to take steps towards accession.

"First, progress in the areas of rule of law, media, and electoral law. It is worth investing this effort because it brings you closer to the goal. These are the foundations for a peaceful society. I want to welcome the progress with the voter list and the REM Council. Implementation is the key thing, and that's why I would invite you to come to Brussels so we can see what the situation is," she stated.

She also says that she expects a greater degree of alignment in foreign policy, including sanctions against Russia - "you have aligned 61 percent, but we want more".

More than 100 million euros in new investments have been allocated from the Growth Plan for Serbia so far, and "there will be more", she announced. She praised the supervisory board within the Growth Plan, which consists of people from the government, but also from civil society, with whom she announced she would meet later.

"Such a board is an excellent signal, it sends a strong message," she said, adding that work is being done on Serbia's integration into SEPA.

When asked where she sees a solution to the current situation in Serbia, Von der Leyen says that this is a crucial moment for Serbia and that it is time for the entire nation to come together and strengthen the foundations of effective democracy.

"The EU is ready to support you and make every effort in this regard. To implement reforms, and they should be carried out by bringing society along. I welcome the process regarding the updated voter list and the agreement on the REM Council, the government has cooperated with civil society organizations. Implementation is the most important thing, it is good to reach an agreement, and now implementation on the ground," added the EC President.

Vučić said that he is "proud of the democratic commitment" and the behavior of the Serbian state towards the participants of the protests, stating that in 11 months there were 25,000 "unannounced and illegal" protests, and no one was harmed, unlike in European countries and the reactions of their police to demonstrators.

"When you talk about police reaction, excessive use of force, exceeding limits - if it ever happened, it was in extreme necessity and minimal use of force," stated Vučić.

Vučić emphasized that Serbia is "facing a difficult situation in the energy sector".

"NIS is under American sanctions, and when it is under American sanctions, it is de facto under European sanctions as well. This problem is not easy for us and is not simply solvable. I hope that in all matters of importance for Serbia's energy security, we will have the support and help of the EU - said Vučić.

As he added, "I believe that the winter will not be simple for us, it will not be easy, we have secured large reserves of both oil and gas, but as things stand, it will be a difficult political winter for us".

He also added that 54.5 percent of total exports from the Western Balkans go to EU countries, and that the largest exports from Serbia go to Germany, Italy, Romania, and Hungary.