10 minutes agoThe EP lets Serbia know: Opening new chapters only when you impose sanctions on Russia
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)The European Parliament (PE) is urging Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia due to its aggression against Ukraine and make a clear decision whether to join the European Union, according to a document published by Serbian state television today. With earlier remarks concerning rule of law [...]
With earlier remarks concerning rule of law and normalisation of relations with Kosovo, the report for Serbia said that “compliance with EU foreign policy, including sanctions against Russia, would determine the further course of membership negotiations”.
The text, agreed by leading EP political groups, stressed Serbia's “need to address EU positions on war in Ukraine, rule of law, fighting corruption and media freedoms”.
Eurodeputs say they support Serbia's EU membership, but that it depends on the Serbian authorities' political will and readiness for irreversible “reforms, especially on rule of law”.
Lawmakers are calling for urgent sanctions, voicing concern that Serbia is among the few European countries that have not respected the EU position and that it is the last in the region in terms of compliance with the euro-block.
“We protect new negotiating chapters to be opened only when Serbia takes the necessary measures in this direction, including in the area of rule of law”, the report says.
Lawmakers called on Serbia to reconsider its economic co-operation with Russia and suspend military co-operation with Moscow, including projects such as the so-called Russian Humanitarian Centre in Nis, which critics see as a direct Russian strategic project in Serbia.
They are also concerned about buying military equipment from Russia, Belarus and China, saying it accounts for 70 per cent of total procurement in Serbia.
The report also cites concerns about the Russian opposition leaders' wiretapping reports in Belgrade, charges rejected by Serbian officials as groundless.
The text also criticises the spread of disinformations concerning Russia's aggression against Ukraine, including media involvement with the government, and urges Serbian authorities to take decisive steps in the fight against the most widespread false news.
The report will be voted in a session of the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee on 14 June and must be approved at the EP's plenary session in June.
