The Foreign Policy Committee of the European Parliament (EP) adopted the Report on Serbia, which calls on the European Union to open new chapters in accession negotiations with Serbia, and Belgrade to focus on reforms in the area of the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Kosovo.
With 55 votes for and two against, the EP's foreign policy committee adopted the draft text of the rapporteur for Serbia, David McAllister, which was supplemented by compromise amendments by the European deputies.
The Report assesses that Serbia is on the right path to European integration, and the EU calls for the opening of "other chapters in the negotiations with Serbia, which are technically ready".
The overall economic progress in Serbia, "Serbia's active role in the fight against terrorism", as well as the significant role the country plays in international and regional cooperation in the fight against narcotics, were praised.
MEPs ask Serbia that the authorities in the country focus on reforms in the area of the rule of law. "There is an insistence on an independent judiciary, the fight against corruption, improving the situation in the media in the country, investigating cases of excessive use of force by the police against citizens, as well as the case of Savamala".
Serbia is called upon to step up efforts to resolve "bilateral issues with neighbors in accordance with international law", to "fully implement bilateral agreements with neighbors", but also to "progressively" harmonize its foreign and security policy with EU policy, with special emphasis on policy towards Russia.
When it comes to the normalization of relations with Kosovo, the EP emphasizes that the implementation of what was agreed within the dialogue is key, and the formation of the Union of Serbian Municipalities is one of the priorities, reports Tanjug.
The report on Serbia adopted today should be voted on in the form of an EP Resolution on Serbia at the end of April, after the presidential elections in Serbia.
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