MILIVOJEVIĆ: GLOBAL CHANGES IN FAVOUR OF BELGRADE AND BANJALUKA

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 9 /SRNA/ – Student and social protests in many European countries prove that Europe is facing a serious crisis, but the global changes ahead are working in favour of Serbia and Republika Srpska, as well as the interests of the Serb people in general in this region, retired Serbia’s diplomat Zoran Milivojević told SRNA.

As far as Serbia and Republika Srpska are concerned, Milivojević says, it is becoming clear that the policies pursued by Belgrade and Banja Luka are fully adapted to global developments, while Europe is "hanging" and is beyond the global events.

"It is clear that the world is changing in a different direction and that efforts are being made to find ways to engage in dialogue and redefine global relations. It is no coincidence that the United States, Russia and China are holding talks. Responsibility for global peace and security nevertheless rests with them, while Europe is hanging," Milivojević said.

He stressed that Serbia and Republika Srpska have a significant advantage in this regard because they maintain communication with all the most important global players, while Republika Srpska has demonstrated through elections how successful its policies are.

"Therefore, as far as we are concerned, we are here. Global trends and relations are, in a way, in lines of our own understanding of the situation, with independent policies and priority given to national and state interests and principles," Milivojević said.

He added that it was essential to avoid a war in Europe and that Serbia and Republika Srpska were standing firm on their own ground, which was consistent with the global changes expected in the future.

Pointing to the decline of social democrats in Europe due to economic and social problems and dissatisfaction with war policies, Milivojević says that major challenges are ahead of Europe, adding that the EU is seeking a way out through its enlargement policy, while avoiding reforms and a confrontation with the problems created by its own policies.

"Europe is losing pace globally, and a challenging cycle of changes awaits us in the coming period. In any case, there is a return to traditional and national policies, while the issues of sovereignty and the protection of national interests are once again becoming prominent," Milivojević said.

He assessed that growing dissatisfaction in Europe would give rise to two opposing blocs: one representing left-wing radicalism and the other right-wing sovereigntism, with political developments unfolding between them.

Speaking about protests involving school pupils, students and citizens in France, Italy and Belgium, as well as elections in Spain and Germany, Milivojević said the underlying causes included widespread dissatisfaction with the policies of political elites in those countries, opposition to a pro-war approach and immigration policies.