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Separatists in Vojvodina and the EU prepare to divide Serbia. Other
countries are in the line
FILIMONOVA Anna | 10.12.2010 | 09:18
http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2010/12/10/separatists-in-vojvodina-and-the-eu-prepare-to-divide-serbia.-other-countries-are-in-the-line.html
European Union Hungary Serbia
In late October 2010 the European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia
Jelko Kacin expressed Brussels` will concerning Serbia's integration
in Europe and "the Vojvodina issue". He said that Serbia should be
ready for 'difficult home tasks' from the European Commission- such as
reform of the legislation system, more freedom to mass media and
settlement of the Vojvodina problem.
Brussels puts forward two key requirements to accept Serbia in the EU:
to hand over Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic for trial and- what is seen
as a key requirement- to divide Serbia into several districts.
Those who back the separatist idea rely on the results of the
International Conference on Yugoslavia, which took place in London in
August 1992. Violating Serbia`s constitutional norms, the London
Conference concluded that Kosovo and Vojvodina, as well the other six
republics of Yugoslavia, were constituent parts of Yugoslavia.
Later the six aforementioned republics became independent states, with
Kosovo enjoying overall western support and seeking independence, and
Vojvodina and Sandjak.
The Vojvodina issue was announced 'unsettled', with three variants
remaining for the situation to unfold: to grant more autonomy to the
area; to annex the Hungarian-inhabited northern part of Vojvodina to
Hungary, or to separate the whole Vojvodina to make the collapse of
Yugoslavia complete. All these variants suggest protecting minority
rights.
According to separatists in Vojvodina, Serbia has failed to fulfill
the 'key agreements' outlined in the 1918 resolution "On Vojvodina`s
Annexation to the Kingdom of Serbia" which guaranteed this Serbian
province "freedom, equality and progress". Serbia allegedly violated
its obligations under Slobodan Milosevic (in 1988 he cancelled
Vojvodina`s autonomy), and in 2006, when Vojvodina was proclaimed a
'subordinate subject' under a new Constitution. Separatists approve
neither the statute of Vojvodina adopted in 2009 nor a possibility to
get back to the 1974 law. They want more and are fully backed by the
EU. In the second part of 2011 it is expected to set up a
representation office of Vojvodina in Brussels, and empower members of
the European Parliament to control how the area is being granted
autonomy.
The 2006 Constitution is viewed as a major obstacle to the division of
Serbia into several districts. The document, which is likely to be
abolished after snap elections, contains a vague point which sounds
like "support of the Serbian citizens who face many hardships in their
everyday life since the existing Constitution prevents them from
managing their lives". A center-right government is said to be a major
barrier on the way to a "better life". A recipe offered by separatists
suggests establishing an alternative power.
To make people protest against plans to unite Serbia's regions (the
idea suggested by M. Dinkic) they need to launch a new round of
debates on the issue. The project suggests dividing Serbia into seven
regions, creating an assembly of 35 members, reducing the number of
seats up to 200 in the National Assembly of Serbia (Narodna Skupština)
and shifting to mixed electoral system like in Vojvodina. The party
led by Dinkic is supported by the official Belgrade. On 26 March 2009
an assembly of the national council was established to deal with
decentralization of power in Serbia. The council is due to adopt a
strategic plan of decentralization (in other words, to separate the
country- A.F.). The council is led by N. Chanak, known for having a
taste for sensations.
Hungarian separatists in Vojvodina can boast an overall support of
Budapest, their only ally. They however receive support from Brussels
as well - through "The European Issues" foundation, which provides
financial assistance as part of the $12 million program for
trans-border cooperation between Serbia and Hungary. There is also
another program, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, aimed at
developing a macro-region of Danube.
In May 2010 Hungary adopted a bill on double citizenship for
Hungarians living in neighboring countries. It is due to take effect
on 1 January, 2011, and affect 3,5 million Hungarians citizens
residing in Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Ukraine and Austria.
Groups of political activists have been formed in Vojvodina ready to
carry out a campaign resulting in the district's exit from Serbia.
However, chances are very low for the project to be a success. It is
enough to have a look at how disproportional countries are developing
inside the European Union (Wallonia and Flandria, the north and the
south of Italy, e.t.c). In case of Serbia, an artificially created
'European region' will mean nothing more but handing over power to
subnational institutions in Brussels.
From: A. Papazian
countries are in the line
FILIMONOVA Anna | 10.12.2010 | 09:18
http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2010/12/10/separatists-in-vojvodina-and-the-eu-prepare-to-divide-serbia.-other-countries-are-in-the-line.html
European Union Hungary Serbia
In late October 2010 the European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia
Jelko Kacin expressed Brussels` will concerning Serbia's integration
in Europe and "the Vojvodina issue". He said that Serbia should be
ready for 'difficult home tasks' from the European Commission- such as
reform of the legislation system, more freedom to mass media and
settlement of the Vojvodina problem.
Brussels puts forward two key requirements to accept Serbia in the EU:
to hand over Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic for trial and- what is seen
as a key requirement- to divide Serbia into several districts.
Those who back the separatist idea rely on the results of the
International Conference on Yugoslavia, which took place in London in
August 1992. Violating Serbia`s constitutional norms, the London
Conference concluded that Kosovo and Vojvodina, as well the other six
republics of Yugoslavia, were constituent parts of Yugoslavia.
Later the six aforementioned republics became independent states, with
Kosovo enjoying overall western support and seeking independence, and
Vojvodina and Sandjak.
The Vojvodina issue was announced 'unsettled', with three variants
remaining for the situation to unfold: to grant more autonomy to the
area; to annex the Hungarian-inhabited northern part of Vojvodina to
Hungary, or to separate the whole Vojvodina to make the collapse of
Yugoslavia complete. All these variants suggest protecting minority
rights.
According to separatists in Vojvodina, Serbia has failed to fulfill
the 'key agreements' outlined in the 1918 resolution "On Vojvodina`s
Annexation to the Kingdom of Serbia" which guaranteed this Serbian
province "freedom, equality and progress". Serbia allegedly violated
its obligations under Slobodan Milosevic (in 1988 he cancelled
Vojvodina`s autonomy), and in 2006, when Vojvodina was proclaimed a
'subordinate subject' under a new Constitution. Separatists approve
neither the statute of Vojvodina adopted in 2009 nor a possibility to
get back to the 1974 law. They want more and are fully backed by the
EU. In the second part of 2011 it is expected to set up a
representation office of Vojvodina in Brussels, and empower members of
the European Parliament to control how the area is being granted
autonomy.
The 2006 Constitution is viewed as a major obstacle to the division of
Serbia into several districts. The document, which is likely to be
abolished after snap elections, contains a vague point which sounds
like "support of the Serbian citizens who face many hardships in their
everyday life since the existing Constitution prevents them from
managing their lives". A center-right government is said to be a major
barrier on the way to a "better life". A recipe offered by separatists
suggests establishing an alternative power.
To make people protest against plans to unite Serbia's regions (the
idea suggested by M. Dinkic) they need to launch a new round of
debates on the issue. The project suggests dividing Serbia into seven
regions, creating an assembly of 35 members, reducing the number of
seats up to 200 in the National Assembly of Serbia (Narodna Skupština)
and shifting to mixed electoral system like in Vojvodina. The party
led by Dinkic is supported by the official Belgrade. On 26 March 2009
an assembly of the national council was established to deal with
decentralization of power in Serbia. The council is due to adopt a
strategic plan of decentralization (in other words, to separate the
country- A.F.). The council is led by N. Chanak, known for having a
taste for sensations.
Hungarian separatists in Vojvodina can boast an overall support of
Budapest, their only ally. They however receive support from Brussels
as well - through "The European Issues" foundation, which provides
financial assistance as part of the $12 million program for
trans-border cooperation between Serbia and Hungary. There is also
another program, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, aimed at
developing a macro-region of Danube.
In May 2010 Hungary adopted a bill on double citizenship for
Hungarians living in neighboring countries. It is due to take effect
on 1 January, 2011, and affect 3,5 million Hungarians citizens
residing in Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Ukraine and Austria.
Groups of political activists have been formed in Vojvodina ready to
carry out a campaign resulting in the district's exit from Serbia.
However, chances are very low for the project to be a success. It is
enough to have a look at how disproportional countries are developing
inside the European Union (Wallonia and Flandria, the north and the
south of Italy, e.t.c). In case of Serbia, an artificially created
'European region' will mean nothing more but handing over power to
subnational institutions in Brussels.
From: A. Papazian