EP Mission to Serbia Report Confirms Very Polarized Political Landscape

European Parliament (BETAPHOTO/European Parliament/Philippe STIRNWEISS)

A delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) has published a report on the ad hoc mission to Serbia from Jan. 22 to 24, saying that the visit took place at a timely moment, reaffirming firm commitment to democratic Serbia’s EU membership prospects.  

“Meetings with various stakeholders confirmed the very polarized political landscape in Serbia. The visit also provided an opportunity to reiterate its support for the Serbian people and institutions in advancing reforms, provided that commitments are translated into measurable and sustainable progress, particularly in the area of the rule of law,” state the conclusions of the report, published on Feb. 15.

In meetings with Serbian counterparts, MEPs reaffirmed their firm commitment to “democratic Serbia’s EU membership prospects,” according to the report. They stressed that EU accession “is a merit-based process rooted in respect for democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights, media freedom and judicial independence, as well as full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.”

“Members expressed solidarity with Serbian citizens, students and civil society actors who are exercising their democratic rights and calling for accountability, transparency and institutional responsibility,” reads the report. It added that MEPs had called on the authorities to ensure urgent, impartial and transparent investigations into all allegations of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force and unlawful surveillance of protesters.