EC Serbia Report: No Progress in Judiciary, Limited Progress in Fighting Corruption  

European Commision

Serbia made no progress in relation to the election processes or the judicial system, while limited progress was made in fighting corruption, organized crime and public administration reform, the European Commission (EC) said in its latest progress report on EU integration, on Oct. 6.  

According to the summary of the report on Serbia, although the legislative and institutional framework for upholding fundamental rights is broadly in place, its consistent and efficient implementation still needs to be ensured. The document further says that although a new media strategy has been adopted, its implementation has not yet started and no progress was made yet on the ground to improve the overall environment for freedom of expression. 

Serbia has serious shortcomings in the public administration, the judiciary and the work of the parliament and “it is crucial that the Serbian authorities address these shortcomings through a transparent and inclusive dialogue with political parties and other relevant stakeholders well ahead of the next elections,” it is said in the document which BETA has seen.  

According to the report, Serbia’s judicial system has some level of preparation, but no progress was made over the reporting period. “The newly constituted Serbian parliament is marked by the overwhelming majority of the ruling coalition and the absence of a viable opposition, a situation which is not conducive to political pluralism in the country,” the EC said in the report.