Debate: Report on Serbia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MAY 2023
Speaker: Olivér Várhelyi
Language: EN

So coming to the report, I want to thank rapporteur Bilčík for the work on the report and the very good cooperation I have had with him as rapporteur for Serbia, and also his efforts that bore fruit with the return of the opposition to the Parliament. So, Mr Bilčík, I think you will be remembered for the tremendous work that you have done as rapporteur for Serbia. The last year has not been without challenges for the EU-Serbia relations. It is, however, important and in the European Union’s interest that we have continued engagement with Serbia, supporting the country on its EU path. So far, 22 out of the 35 negotiating chapters have been opened in the accession negotiations. We are also applying the new methodology with Serbia, something the country opted in. Cluster 4 negotiations are underway. The Commission assesses that Serbia has fulfilled the opening benchmarks for cluster 3, on competitiveness and inclusive growth, and that this cluster is technically also ready for opening. The overall pace of accession negotiations will continue to depend on Serbia’s progress in the area of the rule of law as it is enshrined in the new methodology. Serbia’s non-alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy on sanctions against Russia is, of course, a serious issue. Nevertheless, the Commission’s objective for 2023 has been and will remain to work together with Serbia to achieve that. We welcome the government’s determination to pursue Serbia’s strategic objective of joining the EU. Serbia’s timely adoption of the legislation implementing last year’s constitutional amendments to strengthen the independence of the judiciary is an important progress in this area of the rule of law. We also welcome Serbia’s recent steps on aligning with EU visa policy for the nationals of six countries that present the risk of irregular migration to the EU. A further positive development is the announced removal of market-distorting public procurement legislation. On the dialogue with Pristina, the Commission has welcomed the agreement on the path to normalisation of relations, which puts the EU facilitated dialogue on a solid, forward-looking path and paves the way for comprehensive normalisation. We now expect all provisions of the agreement and the annex to be implemented without delay. As it was stated by the European Council in February this year, and I quote, ‘The European Council urges both parties to implement fully and without conditions the obligations they committed to in the framework of the dialogue, including the agreements from the years 2013 and 2015 to create an association/community of Serb majority municipalities.’ Furthermore, we are also discussing with Serbia how it can deliver tangible results in further priority areas such as media freedom, by ensuring greater media pluralism and tackling foreign information manipulation and disinformation. It is crucial that this work reflects the media strategy and brings Serbia in line with the EU acquis. War crime prosecution also needs to be tackled. We are also engaging with Serbia to deliver on priorities under cluster 4, on the green agenda and sustainable connectivity. Our messages are clear: we expect Serbia to align with EU policy on energy, unbundle its gas sector and diversify its energy supply. Progress also requires that Serbia ensures parliamentary work is organised and predictable, and that there is a national consensus on EU accession-related reforms. We also support the work of the European Parliament and its follow up to the inter-party dialogue. The Commission continues to help Serbia with the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, including support for gas interconnectors and the energy support package. To conclude, we strongly encourage Serbia to provide strategic and more robust communication on the benefits of the EU to its citizens. The EU is and will remain Serbia’s main political and economic partner, investor and donor and continues to support the country on its EU path.