Serbian Speaker Says Picula’s Report Has Nothing to Do with Reforms in Serbia’s Bid to Join EU

Ana Brnabic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

Ana Brnabic, the speaker of the Serbian parliament, on July 8 criticized a report by Tonino Picula, rapporteur for Serbia before the European Parliament, saying it "has nothing to do with reforms on the European path."

"Serbia's regression, as far as Tonino Picula is concerned, directly correlates to the strength and perseverance with which [Serbian President] Aleksandar Vucic defends and advocates for Serbia's interests," Brnabic said in a post on the X social media platform.

"The more Serbia's president pursues a pro-Serbian agenda, the more will Picula insist on punishing Serbia. And it has nothing to do with reforms on the European path. Were he to succeed in bringing blockader yes-men to power, we would not have to carry out any reforms, we would be rushing into the EU like Croatia is rushing to [controversial Croatian singer] Tompson," she wrote further.

Picula said in the report that Serbia's progress toward membership in the EU could not be founded on empty statements, but solely on sustainable results. This year's report points to a major deceleration of reforms, with regression too being evident in key areas, such as the rule of law and democratic standards, the EP rapporteur for Serbia added.