EU Ambassador to Serbia Andreas von Beckerath met today with the Minister of European Integration, Nemanja Starovic.
Ambassador von Beckerath expressed appreciation for his first meeting with Minister Starovic and hope for successful cooperation to advance Serbia’s EU accession by implementing necessary requirements. He underlined that the EU is closely following the challenging political situation in Serbia, including in the context of its accession negotiations with the EU. Ambassador highlighted that the accession process provides a solid framework to address key concerns – from strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding media freedom, to improving electoral conditions and fostering an enabling environment for civil society. He recalled that the opening of Cluster 3 depends on tangible and sustained progress in the rule of law, particularly on electoral reforms, upholding freedom of expression and the election of a credible new REM Council.
The EU Ambassador recalled the need to uphold the respect for fundamental rights, including the right for peaceful assembly. This also implies avoiding any kind of violence against political opponents and party premises as a means of political protests. The EU Ambassador further reiterated that police action must be proportionate and respect fundamental rights; any suspicion of excessive use of force needs to be duly investigated, including worrying reports about threats and violence against journalists.
The Ambassador reiterated the EU’s commitment to Serbia’s EU membership perspective, as well as its continuous support through EU-oriented reforms, investments and political engagement, for the benefit of all Serbian citizens. In this regard, he reminded that under the new EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans significant EU support is conditional on the completion of key reforms, in order to accelerate convergence with the EU and advance on country’s path towards EU membership, the Ambassador stressed.
