Djuric: Unless it completes enlargement process, Europe risks becoming a theme park

MADRID - Unless it completes the enlargement process on its continent, Europe risks losing its relevance and becoming some kind of a "theme park" where one can "enjoy tourism and have a good time", says Serbian FM Marko Djuric.

"For our continent to regain its proper place on the global scene, we Europeans must accept the whole vision of a united Europe, and true unity is not possible without the Balkans," Djuric said in an interview for the Spanish El Mundo paper during Thursday's visit to Spain.

Asked to comment on why Serbia had lost the pole position to become the next candidate country to join the EU, Djuric said Serbia was working diligently on carrying out all necessary reforms with a view to completing all legislative changes by end-2026.

"Serbia has attracted 65 pct of all investments in southeast Europe and, moreover, it has stabilised its macroeconomic situation to such an extent that we have reduced the public debt-to-GDP ratio from 79 pct to the present 45 pct. That is why I believe Serbia really can contribute to European economic growth because our annual growth rate is significantly above the European average, and we are not fighting for membership to get more money from Brussels," Djuric said.

He said that, on the other hand, sometimes there were political or ideological stances in some EU member states that affected the pace of the enlargement process.

"I think that, unless Europe completes the enlargement process on its continent, it risks losing its relevance and, honestly, it also risks becoming some kind of a theme park where you can enjoy tourism and have a good time," Djuric was quoted as saying.