European Parliament to Vote on Resolution on Serbia

Vladimir Bilcik (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/DS)

At a plenary session in Strasbourg on July 6, the European Parliament will be taking a vote on a resolution on Serbia, based on the report submitted by rapporteur Vladimir Bilcik.

During the July 5 evening debate regarding Bilcik’s report – which was adopted by the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) on June 14 – members of the European Parliament voiced the opinion that Serbia cannot progress toward EU membership without gradually aligning with the Union’s policy toward third countries, including Russia.

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, who represented the European Commission at the meeting, stated that the EU expects the Serbian authorities to achieve tangible progress in the rule of law and the dialogue with Pristina, adding that both points will determine the pace of Serbia’s negotiations on EU accession.

Lenarcic further said that Serbia must carry on implementing reforms to ensure the independence of its judiciary. Serbia must also proceed to combat corruption and organized crime, ensure the freedom of the media and continue court proceedings regarding war crimes, Lenarcic said.