We, the Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) – representatives of the European social democratic community, including members of national and European parliaments, political foundations, political parties and civil society organisations in the region – have convened for our seventh meeting in Ljubljana, with the aim to bring together progressive and social democratic actors, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the integration of the Western Balkans countries into the European Union. This meeting in Ljubljana has been dedicated to the situation in Serbia.
On 1 November 2024, the concrete canopy of Novi Sad railway station collapsed, killing 16 people and injuring one. The tragic event exposed yet another case of corruption and triggered mass protests all over Serbia, calling for truth, justice and accountability. On 5 May, the protesting students also demanded the immediate dissolution of parliament and early elections. The demonstrations follow a decade-long period of protests over different, but related, issues and show the dynamism of Serbian civic opposition. Against this evolving background, the FoWB decided to dedicate their meeting to the political developments in Serbia and their implications for the region as a whole and the process of enlargement.
Therefore, united as a single voice, the Friends of the Western Balkans show their support to the Serbian students and other citizens, and:
The Friends of the Western Balkans call on the Serbian authorities to:
The Friends of the Western Balkans reiterate their unwavering commitment to Serbia’s future within the European Union but assess that Serbia’s current trajectory cannot lead to a successful membership bid or constructive membership of a Union of Values. Therefore, the Friends of the Western Balkans also urge the European Commission and the member states to:
The Friends of the Western Balkans conclude that:
The Friends of the Western Balkans meeting was preceded by a meeting of the S&D Group Willy Brandt Program.
Jonas ANDERSSON, Programme Manager PAO Western Balkans, Olof Palme International Center, Sweden
László ANDOR, Secretary General, Foundation for European Progressive Studies, Belgium/Hungary
Denis BEGIC, Member of the Riksadag, Social Democratic Party, Sweden
Nikola BURAZER, Programme Director, Centre for Contemporary Politics, Serbia
Lauri FINÉR, Director, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, Finland
Knut FLECKENSTEIN, Special Adviser Western Balkans, Foundation for European Progressive Studies, Germany
Daniele FRIGERI, Presidente, CeSPI, Italy
Sebastian GRICOURT, Co-director of the Balkans Observatory, Fondation Jean Jaurès
Sarah HEES-KALYANI, Head of Office, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Dialogue Southeast Europe, Germany
Mojca KEKUŠ KLEVA, President, Društvo Progresiva, Slovenia
Kido KOENIG, Director Foundation Max van der Stoel, Netherlands
Maria MALTSCHNIG, Director, Karl-Renner-Institut, Austria
Florent MARCIACQ, Co-director of the Balkans Observatory, Fondation Jean Jaurès
Tanasije MARINKOVIĆ, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Ksenija MARKOVIĆ, MP and International Secretary, Democratic Party (DS), Serbia
Matjaž NEMEC, Member of the European Parliament, S&D, Slovenia
Thijs REUTEN, Member of the European Parliament, S&D, Netherlands
Konstantin SAMOFALOV, International Secretary, Party of Freedom and Justice, Serbia
Stefan SCHENNACH, Member of the Austrian Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Austria
Andreas SCHIEDER, Member of the European Parliament, S&D, Austria
Kirsten SCHÖNEFELD, Director, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Belgrade, Serbia/Germany
Sanela SHKRIJELJ, Former Member of Parliament and Activist, Sustainable Inclusive Growth Association, North Macedonia
Aleksandar SPASOV, Institute for Progressive Change and Social Studies, Skopje, North Macedonia
Borko STEFANOVIĆ, MP, Deputy Chairman, Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), Serbia
Paul STICH, Member of the National Council, SPÖ Spokesperson for Youth and Alternative Service, Austria
Kathleen VAN BREMPT, Member of the European Parliament, Belgium
Arbër ZAIMI, Kosovo Lëvizja Vetëvendosje!, Member of the Presidium, Kosovo
Nebojša ZELENOVIĆ, Member of the DS Presidency with responsibility for international affairs, former Mayor of Šabac, former MP, Serbia
Download the PDF Joint Statement here.
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