The EU must not turn a blind eye to religious nationalism that burned the Balkans in the 90s, an honorary president of the SDP and a member of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Mr Ranko Krivokapić, told.
Mr Krivokapić took part in the PES session, the second-largest political group in the European Parliament, on the topic ‘Bulgaria and North Macedonia – Political leadership and constructive dialogue must prevail’.
In a speech, he stated that the countries and peoples on these territories had been strongly collaborating throughout history whenever facing a common enemy.
“Today, when we all have a common goal, that is, the EU membership, we have problems in mutual cooperation and solving the causes of such a situation is a key to the progress of the region and all countries that make it up. Today we witness nationalism in the Western Balkans and certain aspirations that some countries still haven’t given up, as it’s the modus operandi of their relations with neighbors.”
The EU, according to him, must not turn a blind eye to the dangerous religious nationalism and historical revisionism across the region, having in mind that antifascism, being the foundation of modern Europe, is becoming its victim.
“The EU must not have a superficial and bureaucratic approach in considering relations among the countries, but must detect the causes and roots of the problem and timely sanction even the slightest hint of a return to the policy that has brought this region back almost 100 years,” Mr Krivokapić concluded.
