Babis: Serbia has Czech support for Schengen and EU membership, EXPO 2027 major event

BELGRADE - Serbia has Czechia's support for membership in EU and the Schengen area, Czech PM Andrej Babis said in Belgrade on Thursday, noting that Serbia had an important role in European stability, especially in a time when there is "talk of war, not peace."

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Babis also noted that EXPO 2027 Belgrade was a major global event and that Czechia was grateful to Serbia for hosting the event.

"It will be a major event for Serbia and for the world," he said at a press conference with Vucic.

Speaking about EU integration of Serbia and the region, Babis said he did not understand why Serbia was still not a part of the Schengen area.

"For years, that has been an ongoing topic," Babis said, noting that, instead, the EU should be trying to expand the Schengen area to the entire Western Balkans.

As soon as they meet all the conditions, Serbia and other countries of the region should become a part of European structures, he said.

"Serbia has our support, and that is important for Europe, especially in a time when there is talk of war, not peace," Babis said.

Asked by a reporter whether anyone in the EU had "a problem with a strong Serbia", the Czech PM responded that, if that was the case, it should be said openly.

He said the EU should support Serbia's EU path with more determination and added that Belgrade had the right to treat offers by various partners, including China and the UAE, in a pragmatic manner.

"China is offering capital and Serbia, of course, is acting pragmatically, but the EU should be acting in completely the opposite way and strive to make Serbia a part of Schengen and the European Union," Babis said.