Photo: Erich Westendarp/PixabayAs in previous years, the European Parliament's latest report on Serbia is harsh. Serious concern is expressed over persistent organized crime and high corruption, the state of the media, election conditions. Serbia, as a candidate for membership, is reminded that the EU accession process is based on the true readiness of the candidate country to adhere to EU values and principles
On Wednesday, the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) in Brussels voted on the resolution of rapporteur Vladimir Bilčik on Serbia. She will meet at the plenary session of the EP on May 9 in Strasbourg, after which the institution's resolution on Serbia becomes official. Although it is not binding for the EU member states, it represents an important guideline for deciding whether to make progress in the negotiations with Serbia or not. Judging by the text of the report, there is little room for optimism.
AFET deputies submitted over 500 amendments to the original text of the EP rapporteur for Serbia, Vladimir Bilčik, and some of them became an integral part of the draft resolution on Serbia.
Krušik, Šarić, Belivuk, Jovanjica
The EP reiterates the call to Serbia to provide convincing results in cases of high public interest, including the cases of Krusik, Jovanjica and Belivuk. Concern is expressed over the poor progress in these cases, as well as over allegations that Darko Šarić organized an international criminal organization while in Serbian prison.
"The European Parliament emphasizes the fact that efforts and political will are needed to achieve tangible results, especially in the fight against organized crime," the compromise amendments state.
Concerns about the state of the media
It reiterates serious concerns about the situation in the area of freedom of expression and independence of the media, and states that it is "an area that should be addressed as an issue of the highest priority." The establishment of the government's Working Group for the Protection of Journalists is welcomed. But there are concerns about the imbalance between representatives of the government and the opposition on television with national coverage.
"The EP calls on Serbia to improve and protect media professionalism, diversity and pluralism, promote quality and investigative journalism," the amendments say. The EP regrets the abuse of the media by the ruling regime, in order to gain an "unfair political advantage, attack political opponents and spread disinformation".
About Telekom Srbija
The agreed amendments concerning the state company Telekom Srbija remained in the EP report despite lobbying by that company. It stands that Telekom is a company that is suspected of abusing its dominant position on the market, as well as that the ruling party uses Telekom to increase its influence on the media in Serbia.
He expresses concern about possible state financial aid to Telekom, which gives that company "unfair market advantages over competitors and contributes to the weakening of independent media." The European Parliament asks the European Commission to pay attention to the loan of 70 million euros from the European Investment Bank, bearing in mind allegations of abuse of a dominant market position.
About REMU
It is regrettable that REM has allocated four national frequencies to channels that have a history of violating journalistic standards, including the use of hate speech and misleading the public. The EP amendments specifically state that it is Happy TV, for "disobeying warnings issued by REM, spreading disinformation and supporting the Kremlin's narrative about Russia's war in Ukraine."
It is recalled that the EU accession process is based on the true readiness of the candidate country to adhere to EU values and principles. Concerns are expressed about the trend of declining support for Serbia's EU membership and growing support for the Russian regime, "which is the result of long-standing anti-EU/pro-Russian rhetoric widely disseminated through government-controlled media as well as by government officials."
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A black picture and the breakdown of the rule of law subscribeThe archive of the weekly Vreme includes all our digital editions, since the very beginning of our work. All issues can be downloaded in PDF format, by purchasing the digital edition, or you can read all available texts from the selected issue.
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