The collapse of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad has become a tragic symbol of systemic corruption, nepotism and inadequate control mechanisms that should protect citizens, but do not, said the rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula, in his first report on Serbia in the European Parliament.
The media are generally not free or accessible to everyone, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) does not function, the judiciary selectively dispenses justice, and exposes those who point out problems to public attacks, he described the political situation in Serbia.
Picula said that he wrote his report under conditions that included undiplomatic practices, unfounded accusations, manipulation and personal attacks, N1 reports.
"Despite that, I approached this job professionally, with the best intentions, firmly believing in the openness of the common European project, the transforming potential of joining the European Union, and the benefits it brings to the citizens of the member states, as well as the candidate countries," he said.
Picula presented his analysis of the current political reality in Serbia.
"And that political reality has been extremely complex for a long time, especially in the last six months. The collapse of a canopy in Novi Sad, when 16 citizens lost their lives, became a tragic symbol of systemic corruption, nepotism and inadequate control mechanisms that should protect citizens. Today we are discussing the situation in a country in which electoral legislation has serious shortcomings. The media is largely not free or accessible to everyone, in which the media regulatory body does not function, the judiciary selectively dispenses justice, and exposes those who point out problems to public attacks," said Picula.
Likewise, the personal data of those who protest are made public.
"Unidentified illegal means are being used against them, which are then investigated by Russian services. European Union citizens are being detained and expelled from the country because of their status on social media, and EU member states and their representatives are accused of being behind the so-called color revolution," he said.
In addition, Serbia stubbornly refuses to align with the geopolitical orientation of the European Union and impose sanctions on Russia, he added.
"Despite some progress, primarily in the area of the competitiveness and inclusive growth cluster, Serbia still faces major obstacles that it must overcome. Improving internal political dialogue, the rule of law and the fight against corruption, reaching a comprehensive normalization agreement with Kosovo, and full alignment with the European Union's foreign policy. Ensuring the independence of key institutions, including the REM, and fully implementing all OSCE and Council of Europe recommendations on electoral reform, in a transparent and inclusive process, are lacking. Of course, before new elections, which would be of key importance, all of this is also emphasized by the Commission in its reform plan," he said.
Economic data, if improved, cannot be the only measure of success, because the European Union is not just a common market, said Picula.
"In the last decade, the EU has invested billions of euros in Serbia, but public perception, and even the communication of Serbian leaders, generally does not reflect this. Economic growth is often based on non-transparent contracts, which are exempt from the application of the public procurement law. Such contracts, in addition to economic, also have a direct political impact," he added.
The EU must also take its share of responsibility for this situation, albeit a smaller one, said Picula, N1 reports.
"From political messages of purpose about the progress of the rule of law, bilateral trade agreements of the largest members, to very low rates of investment of European money where it brings the greatest transformational benefit, strengthening the judiciary and fighting corruption," he assessed what the EU should do.
He addressed European Commissioner for Enlargement Marti Kos and said that she had sent some important messages to Serbia.
"At the same time, the statements of the Serbian leader about his formal commitment to European integration sound really unconvincing, while this week he is planning a trip to Moscow and new energy agreements with Russia, and there are no necessary reforms in sight that are crucial for a successful European path. After all, joining the Union is primarily the responsibility of a member state, not an alibi to avoid one's own responsibility for the problems in the country," said Picula.
He addressed Serbian students who are running to Strasbourg, then to Brussels.
"I appreciate their sacrifice and struggle. I have heard their messages clearly from the very beginning and in the report I emphasize the same goals that they stand for. Since they, as young people, represent the future of their country, the attitude of the government towards them says much more about the future than any party programs. The European Parliament, as the institution that votes on the accession agreement at the end of the process, will remain the loudest speaker for enlargement. But we want this process to be based on merit, real reforms and clear alignment with European values and the geopolitical positions of the European Union," he concluded.
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