Serbia must be treated firmly

The EU must make no compromises in negotiating Serbia's accession, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "There are good reasons for having Serbia closer to the European Union. If we are to have good relations in the Balkans there's no getting around Belgrade. So Europe's interests in this matter are huge. Nevertheless we should be careful not to avert our eyes and grant political concessions just for the sake of peace. The examples of Romania and Bulgaria show only too well where that can lead. ... Their accession will cause the EU pain for some time to come. ... If Serbia is to avoid becoming another Romania or Bulgaria for the EU, negotiations must be firm and unbending from this moment on. Certainly, Serbia belongs in the EU on the long term. But only when it proves it can live in peace with its neighbours and itself, when it hands over its war criminals and adopts a democratic constitution in accordance with the rule of law."

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