Alain Berset Says Supports Reforms, Gained Useful Insights Into the Situation in Serbia

BETAPHOTO/Serbian Government/Slobodan Miljevic

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset said on March 6 that, after visiting Serbia, he had gained useful insights into the current situation in the country, and that he was ready to support the country’s reforms in numerous areas.

The Council of Europe said in a press release that “dialogue across the entire political spectrum, the independence of the judiciary, free and fair elections, and freedom of the media and assembly are prerequisites for public trust.” “Open talks with the president of Serbia, the prime minister, the ministers of foreign affairs and justice, as well as the Serbian speaker and other members of Parliament, including opposition parties, civil society and the academic community, helped me gain useful insights into the current situation in the country,” Berset said.

The secretary general also said that “trust in democratic institutions is particularly important and goes hand in hand with ensuring free and fair elections.” “The partial local elections on March 29 will mark an important turning point in the political life of Serbia. I proposed that the Serbian authorities invite the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe to observe these elections in order to ensure an objective international assessment. Such observation would serve the interests of all stakeholders,” the statement reads.

Berset also welcomed the decision to submit the draft amendments to the law on the judiciary to the Venice Commission, adding that it “will issue an urgent opinion in the coming weeks and is expected to consult relevant interlocutors in Serbia during the preparation process.”