German FM urges Serbia to pick EU over 'mixed signals'

Germany's foreign minister on Tuesday urged Serbia's government, with its close ties to Moscow, to choose between joining the European Union or instead pursue a path of "mixed signals".

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, appearing alongside his Serbian counterpart in Belgrade, told the media that the Balkan nation needed to decide if it would "align itself with European positions in foreign and security policy".

"Or send mixed signals that are incompatible with the fundamental values of the European Union," Wadephul said, in the latest stop in his tour of the Balkans.

Serbia remains one of the few countries not to sanction Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

But in recent months, Belgrade's close ties with the Kremlin have become increasingly difficult to balance with Brussels, as Washington and its allies ratchet up pressure on Russia.

Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said that Serbia remained "unequivocally and firmly committed" to joining the bloc, including accepting its foreign and security policies, but his country still needed "various reforms".

"Serbia has certain national interests in the region and issues related to the decades behind us, which we will strive to resolve constructively," Djuric said.

The visit comes amid a looming energy crisis in Serbia, with its only oil refinery expected to run out of reserves within days due to US sanctions targeting the firm's majority Russian owners.

Djuric said negotiations were still ongoing over the future of the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), and the government would take "all necessary measures" to avoid fuel shortages.

Wadephul also highlighted "repeated instances of violence against peaceful demonstrators", referring to reports of police brutality against the year-long anti-government protest movement.

"It is the responsibility of authorities and decision-makers to ensure the right to peaceful protest."

Djuric admitted that the past year had been "politically very challenging" but rejected accusations that the government were suppressing protests.

He said thousands of demonstrations were held without "casualties" and this summer's unrest, which resulted in dozens of arrests and the destruction of ruling party offices, painted a "very poor picture" of politics in his country.

"All political actors in the country share the responsibility for overcoming such a situation."