Serbian authorities must further curb extremist groups and punish all those who took part in rioting this week, the government declared Thursday, insisting that the Balkan nation still remained stable.

Parliament’s security board said Serbia’s constitutional order has not been jeopardized, even though extremists have tried to create unrest.

The National Security Council, meanwhile, urged a continued and determined fight against organized crime, saying that extremist organizations seek to “jeopardize the security of the state and the citizens.”

The statements and the Wednesday’s meeting of the National Security Board apparently aimed to show state resolve after Serbia experienced two riots in three days.

Far-right groups on Sunday attacked police with firebombs, stones and stun grenades, in an attempt to disrupt Serbia’s first gay pride event in years. Some 150 people were hurt in the melee and around 250 were detained. On Tuesday, violent Serbian football fans rioted in Italy during a Euro 2012 qualifying match.

Officials say the attacks are designed to undermine Serbia’s pro-Western government, which is seeking to steer the country toward integration with the European Union. The handling of the gay pride parade was considered a major test of Serbia’s ability to protect human rights.

The National Security Council, which is chaired by President Boris Tadic and includes top army, police and intelligence commanders, praised the “professional reaction” by police.

“Overall, the security situation in Serbia is stable despite attempts by those groups to create unrest and instability by the use of violence,” the council said.

The rise of extremism in Serbia is attributed to the economic crisis and a lack of jobs in the wake of the ethnic Balkan wars in the 1990s. Extremist groups are believed to be linked to nationalist political parties that advocate dropping Serbia’s EU bid in favor of closer ties with Russia.

By JOVANA GEC
Associated Press
October 14, 2010

• A Permanent Economic Emergency