7 eurodeput delegation visits Serbia, Kosovo

The EU's office in Kosovo reports that a delegation of seven Eurobonds, led by the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the rapporteur for Serbia, David McAllister (PPE, DE), will meet with political leadership in Belgrade and Pristina, as well as with MPs, opposition representatives and civil society.

The purpose of the visit is to assess the political situation on the ground and assess Serbia and Kosovo's current relations with the EU, including mutually agreed reforms and EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. On November 29th of last year, the European Parliament has adopted two resolutions for Serbia and Kosovo.

In these resolutions, Eurodeputs have welcomed Serbia's continued commitment on the road to EU integration, though they have also urged authorities to step up reform efforts in the rule of law, intensify the fight against corruption and organised crime and continue with reforms of the country's public administration. As far as Kosovo is concerned, the Eurodeputs have welcomed the adoption of recent legislation, but have expressed concern about the lack of interparty consensus and continued political polarisation, which continues to negatively affect the path of sustainable reform.

They also called for greater efforts in fighting widespread corruption to deal with elements of capture of the state and unnecessary political influence and continuing problems with a regular process. In both resolutions, the Eurodeputs have supported the EU-launched dialogue as a framework to reach a comprehensive normalisation agreement between Serbia and Kosovo.

Taking into account the recent debate on possible territorial exchanges between Serbia and Kosovo, the Eurodeputs stressed that ethnically homogenous states should not be objective in the region and that any future agreement would be acceptable only if mutual reconciliation between Serbia and Kosovo is achieved and that it takes into account overall stability in the region and international law.

The visit is expected to address some of the topics highlighted in the EP resolutions adopted in November 2018, as well as the latest developments in the region. Before the visit, McAllister said:

The next <x0van>, the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, is sending two delegations to the Western Balkans -- these will likely be the last two missions of this committee in this legislature. The Western Balkans are a priority for EU foreign policy. We must support Serbia and Kosovo in building strong democratic institutions that support rule of law and enable civil society to flourish. Above all, we must achieve good neighbourly relations among all countries in the region, exploiting the moment of success in northern Macedonia. We attach great importance to developments in Serbia and Kosovo and the aspirations of their citizens, so we are coming to meet both political leaders and civil society in this crucial” period.

In addition to McAllister, the EP delegation will also consist of six eurodeputes: Elmar Brock (EPP, DE), Neena Gill (S&D, UK), Arne Lietz (S&D, DE), Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR,PL), EP Rapporteur for Kosovo Igor 19]oltes (The Greens/ EFA/ SL) and Jaromir Kohlicek (GUE/CZ).