STRASBOURG – The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted resolutions on Kosovo and Serbia and urged both sides to engage in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and to reach without delay a comprehensive and legally binding agreement on the normalization of relations based on the principle of mutual recognition.
In the report on Serbia, MEPs say that accession negotiations with Belgrade should only progress if the country aligns with EU sanctions against Russia and makes significant progress in reforms linked to EU.
They specifically mention progress in the rule of law and fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions and a commitment to shared European rights and values. MEPs stress the importance of aligning with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, particularly regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The European Parliament is concerned about the recent decline in public support for EU membership in Serbia, which it sees as the result of long-standing anti-EU/pro-Russian political rhetoric disseminated by the media and government officials controlled by the government.
According to the report, this is the result of a blatant failure on the part of government officials to confront and reconcile with Serbia’s past.
MEPs want the EU to reconsider the extent of its financial aid to Serbia if its support for anti-democratic policies persists, and call on the European Commission to ensure that all EU spending is fully in line with Serbia’s strategic objectives and interests. the EU.
The European Parliament reiterates its call on Serbia to achieve convincing results in cases of great public interest, including the cases of Krušik, Jovanjica and Belivuk. He expresses concern about the slow progress in these cases, as well as allegations that Darko Šarić organized an international criminal organization while incarcerated in Serbia.
The EP underlined the fact that efforts and political will are necessary to achieve tangible results, notably in the fight against organized crime.
Serious concerns are reiterated regarding the state of freedom of expression and media independence, and it is stated that this is an area that must be addressed with the highest priority. The creation of a government working group for the protection of journalists is welcomed. Concern is also expressed about the imbalance between representatives of power and the opposition on television channels with national coverage.
The European Parliament calls on Serbia to improve and protect the professionalism, diversity and pluralism of the media, as well as to promote quality investigative journalism,” the amendments state. The European Parliament regrets the abuse of the media by the ruling regime, in order to gain an “unfair political advantage, attack political opponents and spread disinformation”.
The rapporteur for Serbia, Vladimír Bilčík, said the report makes a number of criticisms while supporting Serbia’s path to the EU, which its leaders have embarked on after the 2022 elections.
“I welcome the return of the opposition to the Serbian National Assembly. Serbia must align with the EU’s external relations, continue its internal reforms and normalize its relations with Pristina. If Belgrade succeeds in this, it will be a common European success,” Bilčík added, adding that his main goal was to present a realistic and balanced report, while supporting Serbia’s ultimate strategic goal of membership in the EU.
According to him, Serbia still remains the only candidate country in the region that did not support EU sanctions against Russia.
“In times of war, European countries must stand together on the basis of common values. We expect Serbian political leaders to take a clear stand and condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and to align themselves with EU foreign policy. Russia’s influence is still considerable in Serbia – in the areas of energy, security, but also disinformation – and this must change,” Bilčík said.
The report on Serbia was adopted by MEPs with 508 votes for, 76 against and 37 abstentions.
In the report on Kosovo, MEPs highlighted the good results in the fight against corruption, adding that more improvements are needed in the judicial area..
MEPs welcome Kosovo’s application for EU membership and the conclusion of the long-awaited agreement granting visa liberalization to its citizens. Welcoming Kosovo’s achievements in EU-related reforms, such as the fight against organized crime and corruption, they emphasize that the pace of the accession process will depend on progress in the rule of law, fundamental rights and improvements to the country’s legal order.
MEPs regret that initiatives to involve the Serbian community in Kosovo’s political, social and economic structures remain very limited and call on the Kosovo government and representatives of Kosovo Serbs to overcome intercommunity divisions.
The rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, said that the report clearly calls for the full implementation of all relevant agreements of the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, including the creation of the Association of Serbian-majority Municipalities ( ASM).
“I sincerely hope that the Ohrid Agreement will bring benefits to Kosovo and contribute to a further normalization of relations with Serbia,” Von Cramon said, adding that the EP is happy to confirm that the long-awaited visa liberalization will be granted to all citizens. of Kosovo from January 1, 2024.
During the press conference, she also demanded that Serbs from northern Kosovo return to Kosovo’s institutions.
The report on Kosovo was adopted by 452 votes in favor, 87 against and 76 abstentions.
