The European Union has expressed regret for Serbia’s decision to cancel or postpone the holding of ‘EuroPride’, as it said that the European bloc supports equality and opposes any form of discrimination.
On Sunday, Serbian President Aleksander Vucic announced the annual event, which is held by a different capital in Europe each year, was cancelled due to the “significant crisis in Kosovo.” The EU responded by expressing its disappointment.
“For years, EuroPride has advocated for equal rights for LGBTI+ citizens throughout Europe, giving voice to those who are often discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. These are fundamental rights for the EU, and we expect our close partners to respect them as well”, said the spokeswoman for the European bloc, Ana Pisonero, for Radio Free Europe.
The EU, she said, would welcome further clarification from the authorities in Serbia regarding their decision to cancel EuroPride, which was scheduled to take place in September.
Vucic’s argument that its due to the situation in Kosovo does not hold water as the event had been subject to much controversy from political figures.
For example, Belgrade Mayor Aleksandar Šapić has said he would oppose an event like EuroPride also “if it were organized by heterosexuals,” but has added that the City of Belgrade, in case the event is held, will ensure community order.
Speaking to Prva TV, Šapić said that the problem was not the holding of EuroPride or expression of sexual orientation, but “how it looks like,” adding that “it is at odds with some of our traditional values.”
“This is quite the defeat for Serbia,” Marko Mihailovic, an organizer of Belgrade Pride, told POLITICO on Saturday. “Now, when we have an event of European proportions organized in Belgrade and many people have announced their attendance and bought tickets, it’s being cancelled.”
EPOA’s president, Kristīne Garina, urged the Serbian prime minister, Ana Brnabić, to honour a promise to support the event.
“President Vučić cannot cancel someone else’s event,” Garina said. “The right to hold Pride has been ruled by the European court of human rights to be a fundamental human right.”
Organizers have said they will simply go ahead with the event.
“EuroPride in Belgrade will not be cancelled and will bring together thousands of LGBTI+ people from across Europe with LGBTI+ people from Serbia and the wider western Balkans. It will bring many millions of Dinar into the local economy and allow Serbia to show that it is on the road to being a progressive, welcoming the European nation. What Serbian authorities must do is stand firm against these bullies and protect the event.”
