Pigeons learn faster than the people in Brussels. This coercive approach has been in evidence in its dealings with the UK and Switzerland and hasn’t lead to any positive outcomes (except perhaps for a feeling of smug superiority on their part) – just ongoing, increasingly bitter disputes which weaken the EU instead of strengthening it. It treats its friends worse than its enemies.
Neither the Ukraine nor any of the West Balkan countries will be members any time soon and are probably heartily sick of being bossed around by the EU while being strung along like fools. Coming down off the high horse and thinking a bit more flexibly about the rules would open up all kinds of new opportunities for cooperating with close non-members on an equal footing.
With regard to Serbia, that means less of the threats and more positive offers which would persuade Serbs to move towards the West of their own accord, rather than force it. Serbs are proud people – treating them like naughty children that need to be whipped into line just isn’t going to go down well.
I have a theory that pigeons are secretly conspiring to take over the world. There’s been a huge increase of them in the U.K., occupying almost every residential rooftop, very suspicious. Always watching, they never seem to eat – don’t underestimate them!
Last edited 2 years ago by Ian Stewart
Philip Stott
2 years ago
Absolutely right. The EU’s default approach is always authoritarian, all stick and no carrot.
They should be love-bombing Serbia right now, instead of mildly threatening them.
Warren T
2 years ago
What about China, Israel, Mexico, the UAE or all of Central and South America, who also have not gone along?
Tom May
2 years ago
The Serbs will never abandon Russia. They believe all that mysticism obout blood being the most important bond. Let them go and focus on things we can change.
Pigeons learn faster than the people in Brussels. This coercive approach has been in evidence in its dealings with the UK and Switzerland and hasn’t lead to any positive outcomes (except perhaps for a feeling of smug superiority on their part) – just ongoing, increasingly bitter disputes which weaken the EU instead of strengthening it. It treats its friends worse than its enemies.
Neither the Ukraine nor any of the West Balkan countries will be members any time soon and are probably heartily sick of being bossed around by the EU while being strung along like fools. Coming down off the high horse and thinking a bit more flexibly about the rules would open up all kinds of new opportunities for cooperating with close non-members on an equal footing.
With regard to Serbia, that means less of the threats and more positive offers which would persuade Serbs to move towards the West of their own accord, rather than force it. Serbs are proud people – treating them like naughty children that need to be whipped into line just isn’t going to go down well.
“Pigeons learn faster than the people in Brussels. “
Thank you for that, I haven’t laughed so much in ages!
I have a theory that pigeons are secretly conspiring to take over the world. There’s been a huge increase of them in the U.K., occupying almost every residential rooftop, very suspicious. Always watching, they never seem to eat – don’t underestimate them!
Absolutely right. The EU’s default approach is always authoritarian, all stick and no carrot.
They should be love-bombing Serbia right now, instead of mildly threatening them.
What about China, Israel, Mexico, the UAE or all of Central and South America, who also have not gone along?
The Serbs will never abandon Russia. They believe all that mysticism obout blood being the most important bond. Let them go and focus on things we can change.