European Parliament Rapporteur Presents Draft Report on Serbia
The European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula, presented the draft report on Serbia to the Foreign Affairs Committee
17:01Pre 431 d20.02.2025.
Autor
The European Parliament (EP) Committee on Foreign Affairs has adopted the report on Serbia, authored by the EP rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula. The report was adopted with 55 votes in favor, 13 against, and eight abstentions.
Newsmax Balkans aplikaciju možete preuzeti sa Google Play i App Store-a.
The report emphasizes Serbia’s confirmed strategic commitment to European integration, while also highlighting serious shortcomings in key areas.
"The overall pace of accession negotiations with the EU will depend on tangible progress in fundamental values, the rule of law, adherence to shared European rights and values, as well as alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and on the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, which must be conducted in good faith to ensure a legally binding agreement based on mutual recognition," the report states.
Furthermore, the report calls on Serbia to demonstrate a "strong political will and consistency in implementing EU-related reforms," and to communicate "objectively and unequivocally" with its citizens about the EU, Serbia’s European path, and the necessary reforms.
"This document primarily aims to view the situation in its entirety, because it would be inappropriate – given the importance of enlargement policy and Serbia’s significance in the Western Balkans, where in my opinion it is the most influential country – not to take into account all the objective factors that have been hindering Serbia’s progress on the European path for the past three years, since the last chapter was opened," said Picula about the report.
The European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula, presented the draft report on Serbia to the Foreign Affairs Committee
17:01Pre 431 d20.02.2025.
Autor
The President of the Serbian Parliament, Ana Brnabic, stated that her meeting with the European Parliament’s rapporteur, Tonino Picula, was good and open, and that she told him that the draft resolution he prepared was "shameful and full of disinformation."
10:56Pre 426 d26.02.2025.
Autor
The debate on Serbia’s political situation will not be included in the agenda for the European Parliament's April plenary session, despite concerns over the use of sound weapons during a peaceful protest on March 15 in Belgrade.
10:04Pre 397 d27.03.2025.
AutorThe report also notes Serbia’s strong commitment to EU membership as a strategic goal, along with its ambition to fully align with the EU acquis by the end of 2026. It urges Serbia to swiftly and decisively implement substantial reforms, particularly in Cluster 1.
The document, which the EP will vote on as a draft resolution during one of its upcoming plenary sessions, reiterates the EP's position that accession negotiations with Serbia should only advance if Serbia aligns itself with EU sanctions against Russia and makes significant progress on EU-related reforms, especially in the area of fundamental values.
The report acknowledges Serbia’s solid level of preparedness in terms of macroeconomic stability and fiscal discipline, as well as the European Commission’s assessment that Cluster 3 is technically ready for opening.
Regarding the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, the report calls on the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the European Commission to assume a more proactive role in leading the dialogue process. It also requests a greater role for the European Parliament in facilitating the dialogue. Both parties are urged to implement the Brussels and Ohrid agreements, including the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities and the cessation of Belgrade’s opposition to Pristina’s membership in regional and international organizations.
Concerning the tragedy in Novi Sad, and while extending condolences, the report calls for the "initiation of full and transparent legal proceedings" following the investigation being conducted by the authorities. It also calls for a broader examination of the extent to which corruption contributed to the tragedy and led to a decline in safety standards.
The report underscores the importance of freedom of speech and assembly. Recalling the protests of March 15, it calls for an impartial investigation into allegations that unlawful crowd control technology was used against demonstrators.
Switzerland is one of the largest investors in Serbia, with investments totaling around three billion euros, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said after the signing of the Agreement on the Swiss-Serbian Innovation Program.
15:21Pre 1 h28.04.2026.
Autor
Barry Donadio, a former U.S. Secret Service agent, told Newsmax Balkans that agents responded quickly and decisively during the attack at the Hilton hotel in Washington, acting precisely according to protocol, and that the president remained alive thanks to their timely and professional intervention
10:00Pre 6 h28.04.2026.
Autor
The attacker, 31-year-old Thomas Allen from California, who was staying at the same Hilton hotel where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was being held, was arrested after opening fire with multiple weapons. Among the reporters staying at the hotel was Newsmax Balkans journalist Ognjen Medic.
07:33Pre 1 d27.04.2026.
Autor
U.S. Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampoli is visiting Belgrade, from where he is sending strong messages about strengthening relations between the United States and Serbia.
21:47Pre 2 d25.04.2026.
Autor
Minister of Defense Bratislav Gasic welcomed members of the Serbian Armed Forces in Nis who returned from the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, emphasizing that they carried out their tasks professionally and in complex security conditions.
15:52Pre 4 d24.04.2026.
AutorThe Government of Serbia has extended the Regulation on limiting the prices of petroleum products until May 8th. Excise duties on petroleum products will remain at 54 dinars per liter for unleaded gasoline and 55.53 dinars per liter for gas oils.
15:47Pre 4 d24.04.2026.
Autor
At Kula Beograd, within the Belgrade Waterfront complex, an observation deck was officially opened in the presence of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the founder and chairman of Eagle Hills, Mohamed Alabbar.
16:52Pre 4 d23.04.2026.
Autor
The Hungarian oil company MOL announced that it will retain the Pancevo refinery in the long term if it becomes the majority owner of the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS).
16:21Pre 5 d23.04.2026.
Autor
Associated Press journalist Filip Crowther told Newsmax Balkans that, for now, there are no indications that U.S. and Iranian delegations will come to Islamabad, despite Pakistan’s efforts to mediate the continuation of negotiations between the two sides.
09:12Pre 5 d23.04.2026.
Autor
Komentari (0)