David McAllister interview with Detsche Welle
European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia David McAllister said that in recent years, Serbia’s progress on the road to EU has been visible, but that there is a lot to be done in particular regarding the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and that media freedoms have a very high value The media are elementary for functional democracy. On August 24, McAllister will talk to the pro-European opposition and representatives of civil society in Belgrade.
“As much as I praise Serbia for the successes so far, I always say – and this is detailed in my reports – that there is still a lot to do. Especially regarding the rule of law, the fight against corruption, further necessary reforms, and I also point out that the media Freedom is very important, that completely independent media are part of a single European democracy. “In Germany, the media are not called the fourth in power, they are elementary for functional democracy,” McAllister said in an interview with Deutsche Welle.
Asked to comment on the meeting with pro-European opposition in Belgrade, scheduled for August 24, McAllister said that as the European Parliament’s rapporteur it was neutral when it comes to Serbian internal politics.
“It is my task to meet representatives of the government, as well as the opposition, and this is what I have done so far. It is especially important for me, as a parliamentarian, that, in addition to representatives of the Government, I will meet the deputies, Meet members of the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration, then various representatives of the opposition as well as representatives of civil society, “he said.
Commenting on the fact that the leader of the Free Citizens Movement Sasa Jankovic and former presidential candidate Vuk Jeremic canceled the meeting with him, McAllister said he had understanding for the problem with the terms.
“The European delegation in Belgrade has developed a travel program to my application, and I have expressed the desire to meet as many representatives of the opposition parties as possible. I am glad that the meeting is held, and I have an understanding of the problem with terms.” Anyone involved in politics knows that everyone has numerous I met Mr. Jankovic several times, as long as he was an ombudsman, as well as Mr. Jeremic, “he said.
McAllister also said that it is good that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic took the initiative to start a dialogue in Serbia on relations with Kosovo.
“Relations between Serbia and Kosovo need to be further normalized, and this is served by a dialogue that is moderated by the European Union, there are some progress, but not nearly as much as we hoped.” It is important that concrete points be implemented, “said McAllister .
Asked if it is paradoxical that Vucic calls for dialogue and at the same time the Serbian Progressive Party whose boss “swears and kneads everyone who says something”, McAllister said that it is good that Vucic announced this dialogue and announces that he should participate in it Representatives from politics, civil society, other institutions.
“Even though I daily follow the summaries from the Serbian daily newspapers in English translation, but I cannot follow all the details of Serbian politics – who is criticizing me.” My impression is that Serbian politics generally speaks verbally, but this is not limited to Serbia. , I think, is characterized by political culture in that part of Europe, “McAllister said.
According to him, when the dialogue starts, it is important that it has an open outcome.
“I think the president wants to check whether there is a consensus on essential progress in this important issue for Serbia. President Vucic knows that chapter 35 is very important in the framework of accession negotiations,” McAllister said.
He said that Serbia has made visible progress in recent years, on the way to the EU, which is evident in the fact that 10 of the 35 negotiating chapters have been opened and that they would like to open additional chapters this year.
“All legal, political and economic conditions need to be fulfilled in order to become a member of the EU, and all 35 chapters must be closed down – in the end, all the preconditions are equally important. However, the negotiating framework with Serbia explicitly focuses on chapters 23 and 24, as well as Improving relations with Kosovo in chapter 35 – these chapters are open early to allow as much time as possible to carry out the necessary political decisions and passing laws. These chapters will be closed at the end of the conversation, “said McAllister.
Asked what it means “improving relations with Kosovo”, McAllister said that in normalizing relations with Kosovo, it is important to continue the dialogue between the two sides.
“Unfortunately, there is currently no progress in the dialogue due to the unclear political situation in Pristina. Dialogue, as formulated by the EU, means that both sides, Serbia and Kosovo, can go the European way without one side blocking the other in this progress,” he said he is.
