Bilcik Expects Clear Signal That EU Cares about Enlargement

Vladimir Bilcik (Photo: YouTube)

Vladimir Bilcik, a member of the European Parliament and its rapporteur for Serbia, is heading for Belgrade with the belief that, before the year is out, the European Union must send a clear signal of caring about enlargement to include Serbia and the West Balkans, otherwise the bloc's influence will shrink -- not just on Serbia and Montenegro, but on the entire political future of the West Balkans.

"This year we have important parliamentary elections in Serbia and Montenegro, which will show to what degree the Balkan democracies are able to handle the domestic political crisis where some of the opposition is boycotting the fundamental institutions of parliamentary democracy," Bilcik told the Slovak weekly Plus7dni in an interview.

Bilcik is visiting Serbia on Feb. 6 and 7 together with European Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi and EP member Tanja Fajon.

As the biggest issues to be discussed in Belgrade, Bilcik mentioned corruption, the justice system and freedom of the press.

"Our partners must improve the practical measures in the fight against corruption. They must work to increase the people's trust in the justice system and guarantee freedom of the press and fair democratic competition," Bilcik said, adding that tabled conflicts in the region must be resolved, too, especially the Belgrade-Pristina dialog on the future of Kosovo.