Kallas: True Reforms Needed for Serbia’s Progress, Autonomy of Universities Must Be Respected

Kaja Kallas (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Kaja Kallas stated in Belgrade on May 22 that true reforms and advancement in the fields of media freedom, fight against corruption and electoral reforms were needed for Serbia to progress on the European path.

After separate meetings with Serbia’s top officials and representatives of opposition parties, students and non-governmental organizations, Kallas told reporters that the authorities had to respect the autonomy of universities and the principle of separation of power.

“Reforms are how Serbia will advance along its EU path. There are no shortcuts to membership, real progress must be made… and the next steps are very clear – media freedom, combating corruption, electoral reforms,” said Kallas.

She stated that reforms needed “to be real, not just ticking the box on paper.” “These reforms will bring real benefits for the citizens and people of Serbia, as hundreds of thousands of protesters have been demanding in recent weeks. The autonomy of universities must be respected,” Kallas stated. She added that, after the talks with Serbia’s top officials – President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Djuro Macut and Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic, “it is clear that EU membership remains a strategic goal,” but emphasized that “we need to see actions also to support and prove those words.”