528 MEPs voted in favour of report, 43 voted against it, while 51 abstained.
STRASBOURG, 16 January 2014 (FoNet) – European parliament adopted today Serbia`s progress report that welcomes demonstrated commitment of the Government of Serbia to European integrations and encourages Belgrade to continue with reforms that will allow it to undertake commitments of the membership to the European Union and fulfil them effectively.
528 MEPs voted in favour of report, 43 voted against it, while 51 abstained.
Key reforms
The report points out that the implementation of reforms remains the key indicator for success of integration process and encourages authorities to make more efforts in the area of judiciary, fight against corruption, media freedom, protection of all minorities and vulnerable groups, as well as protection of their fundamental rights, structural reforms in agriculture, social dialogue and improvement of business climate.
It welcomes the entry into force of Stabilisation and Association Agreement and points out that it represents important step within Serbia`s European integration process and provides general framework for Serbia and the EU to boost cooperation in the area of political criteria and legislation harmonisation.
European Parliament welcomes Brussels Agreement, which opened the road for the further steps in the European integration process of Serbia and Kosovo and steps that both sides has taken regarding the implementation of that agreement.
To continue implementation of the agreement
Belgrade`s and Pristina`s authorities are encouraged to continue implementation of reached agreements consciously and in due time.
Report also welcomes the holding of local elections in Kosovo, in particular voter turnout in municipalities with majority of Serb population south from river Ibar, as well as duly realisation of local elections in Kosovo, which were characterized by the European observation mission as a key step to creation of community of Serbian municipalities within the normalisation process.
It condemns violence and constant intimidations that occurred in municipalities North Mitrovica and Zvecan and encourages Serbian authorities to do everything in their power to bring perpetrators to justice.
The attitude of Serbian political leaders who actively encouraged Serbs in Kosovo to participate in elections is also welcomed, but at the same time it is noticed that Belgrade should not obstruct political pluralism of Serbian community in Kosovo by agitating for any party or electoral list.
Dropping the mutual claims
Serbia is urged to make more efforts to address open issue with Croatia, in particular referring to missing persons, establishing the border and processing of war criminals, which will enable the removal of barriers for dropping mutual charges for genocide before the International Court of Justice.
European Parliament welcomes adoption of the reform of judiciary strategy and action plan and national fight against corruption strategy and action plan.
It is noticed that corruption and organized crime are widespread in the region, which represents an obstacle to democratic, social and economic development of Serbia, it is stated in the report and it is indicated that boosted cooperation among countries in the region is the key to effectively tackling those issues.
European Parliament expresses a serious concern due to decision of the Constitutional Court to abolish 22 Autonomous Provinces of Vojvodina and leaving a disturbingly large number of unsolved issues that must be addressed.
European Parliament condemns the decision of authorities to ban Pride Parade in Belgrade planned for September 2013, as well as in two previous years and calls on giving political support at the highest level for human rights of LGBTI members.
Authorities are urged again to continue with their efforts to remove heritage of communist secret services which would contribute to democratisation of Serbia.
