Serbia refuses to join EU sanctions on eve of Putin parade

Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Serbia in October 2014, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic promised not to follow the sanctions EU decided to impose to Russia and to go ahead with the plans to build the Serbia part of the South Stream project.

Mr. Vucic spoke following EU complaints that Belgrade did not “align” itself on Russia sanctions despite its obligations as an EU candidate country. The European Commission had also urged it to stop South Stream construction because the legal agreement which underpins the project violates EU energy laws.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Lavrov reassures Serbia on South Stream http://www.europeansources.info/record/lavrov-reassures-serbia-on-south-stream-west-frowns-at-belgrades-planned-putin-parade/

ESO: Background information: EU puts pressure on Serbia to stop South Stream gas pipeline http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-puts-pressure-on-serbia-to-stop-south-stream-gas-pipeline/

BBC News, 16.10.14: Putin to be guest of honour at Serbia military parade http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29641642

Balkan Insight, 16.10.14: Lavish Parade Awaits Russia’s Putin in Serbia http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/putin-arrives-to-belgrade-s-lavishing-military-parade

The Guardian, 15.10.14: Vladimir Putin warns over rise of neo-Nazism before Serbia visit http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/15/vladimir-putin-nazism-warning-serbia-visit

EurActiv, 17.10.14: Serbia gives Putin imperial welcome http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/serbia-gives-putin-imperial-welcome-309269

BBC News, 17.10.14: Serbia's balancing act between Russia and EU http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29656943

The Guardian, 16.10.14: Vladimir Putin moves to strengthen ties with Serbia at military parade http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/16/vladimir-putin-russia-serbia-alliance-military-parade

Euronews, 16.10.14: Serbs share mixed feelings about Putin visit http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/16/serbs-share-mixed-feelings-about-putin-visit/

Euronews, 15.10.14: Putin in symbolic visit to Serbia, torn between EU and Russia http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/16/putin-in-symbolic-visit-to-serbia-torn-between-eu-and-russia/

Deutsche Welle, 16.10.14: Serbia's balancing act under the spotlight as Putin arrives in Belgrade http://dw.de/p/1DWdN

Der Tagesspiegel, 17.10.14: Serbia should show commitment to Europe (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE152150-Serbia-should-show-commitment-to-Europe

RIA Novosti, 16.10.14: HOME Russia World Business Analysis & Opinion Radio Echoes of the Forgotten War More Authors Putin's Visit to Serbia Strikes on European Leaders' Nerves http://en.ria.ru/authors/20141016/194170842/Putins-Visit-to-Serbia-Strikes-on-European-Leaders-Nerves.html

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