Amendments to the EP Resolution on Serbia

European Parliament (BETAPHOTO/European Parliament/Alain ROLLAND)

The European Parliament laments the campaign claiming the participants of the March 15, 2025 anti-government rally in Belgrade falsified the use of a sonic cannon against them, condemns the allegations that MEPs have disseminated false news regarding the rally and is concerned over the collaboration between Serbia’s ruling party and the Chinese Communist Party – state amendments to the EPs draft resolution on Serbia, which is up for vote on July 8.

The changes were proposed by the resolution’s original author, EP rapporteur for Serbia Tonino Picula, on behalf of the Socialists and Democrats caucus, in collaboration with Greens/EFA MEP Vladimir Prebilic. 

The EP “deplores the Serbian authorities’ campaign of intimidation against peaceful students, journalists and activists, which relies on a controversial report by the Russian Federal Security

Service (FSB) to falsely accuse protesters of using a sound cannon during the Slavija Square protest in Belgrade on 15 March 2025,” one amendment reads. 

The Parliament also “underlines that weaponizing fear to suppress civil dissent is entirely unacceptable and incompatible with EU fundamental values [and] strongly condemns the latest attacks by highest-ranking Serbian officials against Members of the European Parliament, including false accusations that they have spread lies and misinformation concerning the protest,” state the changes to Paragraph 45, wherein the EP “[e]xpresses deep concern over credible allegations regarding the use of an acoustic weapon against peaceful protesters.” 

On behalf of their parliamentary groups, Picula and Prebilic also submitted an amendment wherein the EP “notes with concern” the recent memorandum on cooperation signed by Serbia’s ruling Progressive Party of Serbia and the Chinese Communist Party – adding this development “raises further questions regarding Serbia’s strategic commitment to pursuing its EU path.”