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European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Adopts Report on Serbia

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.

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Newsmax Balkans

09.04.2025. 14:14

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European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Adopts Report on Serbia
Foto: Tanjug/AP/Pascal Bastien

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.

PROČITAJTE JOŠ

The 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.

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European parliament Report Serbia EU Tonino Picula

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