Serbia is now calling on the European Union for help in fighting a massive wildfire. Earlier this week, the government rejected European firefighting planes because Russia could provide a much larger firefighting aircraft.
But the fire, in the sandy nature reserve Deliblatska Pescara about 50 kilometers east of Belgrade, is so large and the conditions so difficult that Serbia now also wants help from Brussels. "At the urging of those coordinating firefighting on the ground, and due to the expected extremely high temperatures, Serbia has activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism," said the head of the Emergency Department of the Ministry of the Interior.
Serbia is not an EU member but is conducting accession negotiations and can therefore claim assistance. The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Romania are sending a total of four firefighting helicopters. Germany and Romania are also providing 124 firefighters and 39 fire trucks.
Annoyance in Brussels
On Wednesday, the arrival of a Russian Ilyushin-76 caused irritation in Brussels. That huge cargo plane can drop 42,000 liters of water over the flames at once, and the EU does not have such large aircraft, Belgrade explained that choice.
But the good relationship Serbia maintains with Russia has long been a thorn in the side of the European Commission. The thinking is that Belgrade cannot have it both ways, and Brussels expects a candidate member to first use European support.
A spokesperson did not mince words to TV channel N1. "We repeat that the EU wants to be able to count on Serbia as a reliable partner. As we have said several times: relations with Russia and Putin's regime cannot be business as usual at a time when Russia is conducting an unprovoked and unlawful war on European soil, against Ukraine."
Meanwhile, Russia proudly reports that its Ilyushin-76 has already completed ten flights. "The work of the Russian team is extremely effective," the Russian embassy in Belgrade wrote on Facebook. "They have managed to save about fifty buildings and located new fire outbreaks. This prevented the fire from spreading towards inhabited areas."
Serbian opposition angry
Not only in Brussels but also within Serbia itself there is strong criticism of how the government is handling the firefighting efforts. The fire broke out on July 21 but, according to the fire department, only became uncontrollable on August 5.
The opposition fumes that this is the result of incompetence caused by years of cronyism and mismanagement. In politically highly polarized Serbia, where President Vucic still firmly holds the reins, this is difficult to verify. But experts also point out that this fire, in a vulnerable and unique sandy area, should not have gotten so out of hand.
"In that part of Serbia there is the greatest rainfall deficit and the Danube is low. The drought is much worse than elsewhere in the country," chemistry professor Branimir Jovancicevic told N1. "With such water shortages, that fire was foreseeable." He also warns about the lack of information regarding the consequences of the enormous smoke development and air pollution, which causes nuisance in the wide surroundings.
Vucic prepares for elections
President Vucic is meanwhile on an informal campaign tour throughout the country. He had already announced that early parliamentary elections will be held, with the expectation that if his party wins, he will become prime minister and thus retain power. His last term as president ends early next year.
On Thursday, he announced that Serbians may go to the polls on October 18 or 25. It is inconvenient for him that the fires in the country are not coming under control. Vucic prefers to focus attention on successes he promotes in villages across the country, as well as promises for the future, with a horde of cameras following him.
Last Sunday, he still said that foreign firefighting aid was not needed. Four days later, the Russian Ilyushin landed at the airport of the southern city of Nis.
Tonight or tomorrow, Vucic will visit Deliblatska Pescara after all. "The situation is difficult but under control. I am going there to talk with our firefighters, to see what problems there are."