Reports of the European Parliament have evaluated the progress that Kosovo and Serbia made as part of an effort to join the European Union.
Kosovo needs to accelerate the introduction of reforms related to EU accession and Serbia must do more to protect the rule of law, media freedom and to fight corruption, MPs called on Wednesday. Informs TASR.
According to a press release in two reports, the EP MPs evaluated the progress made by Kosovo and Serbia as part of the effort to join the EU for 2023 and 2024.
According to them, Kosovo has made significant progress in the field of electoral reforms, economies and protection of fundamental rights. However, it still faces challenges in the reformation of the judiciary, the freedom of the media, the efficiency of public administration and the digitization of public services.
MEPs said Kosovo is the target of disinformation campaigns, and foreign actors also intervene in his affairs, especially from Russia and China to destabilize the region and weaken the chances of the Western Balkans for integration into the EU. The EP therefore asked the government in Pristina to strengthen the fight against such threats. The report was approved by 353 deputies, 145 was against and 78 refrained from the vote.
Serbia is waiting for several obstacles
Despite progress in negotiations, Serbia must also overcome several obstacles on the road to the Union. Belgrade needs to improve his internal political dialogue, the protection of the rule of law and introduce anti -corruption reforms, MEPs have specified. At the same time, he has to work to achieve a comprehensive normalization agreement with Kosovo and fully adapt to the EU’s foreign policy.
The EP called on the Serbian authorities to ensure the independence of key institutions, including the regulatory authorities for the media. MEPs pointed out that the authorities must fully introduce all the remaining recommendations of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Security and Cooperation Organizations in Europe (ODSE) and the bodies of the European Council for electoral reform in advance of the elections.
Parliament also requires transparent court proceedings and an examination of the fall of the shelter at the railway station in Novi Sad, which in November 2024 claimed 16 victims. The tragic event has triggered mass protests, and in this context, MEPs also ask for an impartial examination of the alleged use of illegal technology against the protesters. The report was accepted by 419 votes for, 113 was against and 88 abstained.
