S&D Group: Serbia and Kosovo well on track for EU

A delegation from the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee (AFET) and the security and defence subcommittee (SEDE) travelled to Belgrade and Pristina 28-31 October. The delegation was chaired by S&D Group MEP Kristian Vigenin and also included Maria Eleni Koppa, the S&D Group’s lead negotiator on Serbia, and Pier Antonio Panzeri, the S&D Group’s lead negotiator on Kosovo.

Said Kristian Vigenin, the Parliament's rapporteur on the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA):
“The meetings showed Serbia's new leadership is committed to implementing all agreements already reached in the dialogue with Kosovo. And from their side, Kosovo are continuing on the road of reforms. These steps must be rewarded with closer European ties for both countries.

“We also concluded that the Commission should make the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance more flexible and allow it to be tailored to the needs of the beneficiary countries. It should also simplify and reduce the administrative procedures so that Serbia can take full advantage of the IPA.”

Said Maria Eleni Koppa, the Parliament's rapporteur on EU enlargement:
“The S&D Group strongly supports the European Commission's recommendation that accession negotiations should be opened with Serbia, provided that relations with Pristina are normalised. However, we must judge the current government according to what it does and not just what it says.

“The priority for the S&D Group is to promote democracy and human rights in Serbia and to make sure that the living conditions of Serbian citizens are improved.”

Said Pier Antonio Panzeri, S&D Group shadow rapporteur on Kosovo:
“I welcome the political reforms initiated by the Kosovan authorities and the dialogue with Serbia. These must be the two policy lines guiding the actions of the government of Kosovo from now on.”

The S&D Group members also underlined the need for further integration of minorities in the social and political life of Kosovo.

The visit of the European Parliament delegation follows the publication of the European Commission's progress report on Serbia and some important developments in Belgrade and in Pristina on EU and reciprocal relations. In Serbia, the delegation held fruitful meetings with the main political players, including Prime Minister Dacic. In Kosovo the MEPs met with President Jahjaga and Prime Minister Thaci.