European Union general discussion

[Frodo]

It looks like the EU has the right approach toward Serbia:

Serbia takes big step forward in EU membership talks
Serbia is taking a significant step toward joining the European Union

[Frodo]

It looks like the EU has the right approach toward Serbia:

Serbia takes big step forward in EU membership talks
Serbia is taking a significant step toward joining the European Union

Oh god no

What's wrong?

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Overlooked amidst the drama over Ukraine, but very consequential for the future of liberal democracy in the European Union:

EU can withhold funds from Hungary, Poland, top court rules

In a ruling hailed as a boost to democratic values, the European Union’s highest court said Wednesday that the 27-nation bloc can suspend support payments to member states if they breach rule of law principles.

The right-wing governments of Hungary and Poland, which had challenged the EU’s right to take such action, responded by arguing that the rule lacked a proper legal basis and would fundamentally interfere with their running of national business.

Both nations, large recipients of EU funds, have come under increasing criticism over the past few years for veering away from democratic norms with policies such as exerting excessive control over the judiciary, stifling media freedom and denying the rights of LGBT people.

When it comes to democratic principles, “the European Union must be able to defend those values, within the limits of its powers,” the European Court of Justice said in Wednesday’s ruling.

“We have the legal authority that is necessary,” France’s Europe Minister Clement Beaune told the EU legislature. “The rule of law is our treasure.”

The court decision was the last legal impediment to EU institutions withholding funds from any government they consider to be at odds with core democratic principles. The rule, seen as the EU’s most potent weapon to prevent a democratic rift from deepening within the bloc, was approved 14 months ago, but the executive European Commission waited to apply it.

https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2022-02/cp220028en.pdf

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It looks like Serbia is starting to sour on the European Union:

For first time, a majority of Serbs are against joining the EU - poll

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Bulgaria seems to have relented and reached a deal with North Macedonia:

N. Macedonia agrees compromise for EU membership talks: PM

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EU to open accession talks with Albania, North Macedonia

Bulgaria seems to have relented and reached a deal with North Macedonia:

N. Macedonia agrees compromise for EU membership talks: PM

How soon can it complete all negotiations, meet all criteria, & officially join? By the end of this decade? By mid-century?

It depends.  In Croatia's case it took about a decade between applying for EU membership in 2003, and then officially joining the organization in 2013.  So probably early in the next decade. 

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Good to see the EU has recognized the obvious:

EU lawmakers declare that Hungary is no longer a democracy

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Hopefully they go through with it -we don't want any other country following Viktor Orban's Hungary into the abyss of illiberalism:

EU proposes to suspend billions in funds to Hungary

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Kosovo submits formal request to join the EU, Serbia angry

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It looks like Serbia's president has decided that it is better for Serbia's long-term interests to join the European Union (and side with the West) than to remain in Russia's orbit:

Serbia, caught between Europe and Russia, could move one step closer to normalizing relations with Kosovo
Russia's traditional ally, Serbia, may move closer to resolving running conflict with Kosovo, which will not sit well with Moscow

[Frodo]

It looks like Serbia's president has decided that it is better for Serbia's long-term interests to join the European Union (and side with the West) than to remain in Russia's orbit:

Serbia, caught between Europe and Russia, could move one step closer to normalizing relations with Kosovo
Russia's traditional ally, Serbia, may move closer to resolving running conflict with Kosovo, which will not sit well with Moscow

Putin is well aware of the implications of an agreement, so he is doing everything possible to sabotage it:

Warnings Russia trying to thwart Serbia-Kosovo deal ahead of crucial summit

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It looks like the West is slowly but surely winning the war of hearts and minds in Serbia:

West gains advantage as it vies with Russia for influence in Serbia

Russomania slowly fades in Serbia as Putin’s hybrid war continues

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Is the West Changing Its Policy on Serbia?

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Serbia and Kosovo remain at logger-heads, but there has been some positive movement lately on the part of Serbia:

Serbia's pro-Russia intelligence chief sanctioned by the US has resigned citing Western pressure

Of course, that depends on who ultimately replaces him.  

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Baby steps:

Kosovo and Serbia take a small but important step forwards

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EU leaders agree on opening membership talks with Bosnia, but with many strings attached