Tonino Picula’s First Report on Serbia to Be Presented to Members of the European Parliament on May 6

Tonino Picula (BETAPHOTO/European Parliament/Michel CHRISTEN)

Despite some progress in its accession talks with the European Union (EU), major obstacles have remained -  improvements to internal political dialogue, implementation of the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms, a comprehensive agreement on the normalization of relations with Kosovo, and the country’s full alignment with the Union’s foreign policy, says the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula.

Picula’s report, to be be presented to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on May 6,  highlighted other major concerns as well, including to ensure the independence of key institutions, including the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), fully implement the outstanding and the latest recommendations by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and the Council of Europe’s bodies concerning electoral reforms, which should be applied in a transparent and inclusive process and well ahead of any new elections.

In a resolution based on the report, which will be put to a vote on May 7, the European Parliament has expresses deep concern over the systemic issues revealed by the massive protests involving students and other groups in Serbia, including civil liberties, separation of powers, corruption, environmental protection, institutional and financial transparency - particularly in connection with infrastructure projects - and accountability.

The EP confirms that the students’ demands align with the reforms expected from Serbia on its path to the Union.

The document calls for an impartial investigation into the claims that "illegal crowd-control technology" was used against demonstrators in Belgrade on March 15, which resulted in multiple  injuries,” urging Serbian prosecutors to bring charges against all individuals who physically attacked and incited violence against demonstrators.

The resolution calls for full and transparent legal proceedings following the investigation by competent authorities into the collapse of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024. It expresses regret over "the slow pace of the investigation and lack of transparency after the tragedy" and stresses the need for a broader inquiry into the extent to which corruption has led to lowered safety standards and contributed to this tragedy.

The EP also condemns the rhetoric used by the authorities in Serbia, inciting violence against students and other demonstrators, noting that student activists have been exposed to legal harassment, intimidation, and excessive use of force by authorities.

The EP further rejects accusations that the EU and some of its member states were involved in organizing the student protests with the aim of provoking a "color revolution" and, in this context, strongly condemns the unlawful arrests and deportations of EU citizens.