"EU is not only about Kosovo and parade"

BELGRADE Nikola Selakovic told B92 that Serbia's path towards the EU should not be seen through "the taking of something, that is given to Kosovo and the Pride Parade." When asked to comment on the European Commission's praise for the reforms being carried out in the judiciary, and the conclusion that real challenges will occur when the reforms start to be implemented, the justice minister said that these reforms are progressing "one step at a time." "EU is not only about Kosovo and parade" "The adopted strategy and action plan are realistic and very good, and what is really important now is to apply all of that," he said, adding that Serbia started this because it has already established a good operating authority responsible for implementing the action plan. Noting that the EC "still sees a real threat of political interference and political pressures," Selakovic added that the EC said at the outset that the existing constitutional framework leaves room for political influence in the selection of judges and prosecutors. "Therefore, the Constitution and constitutional solutions are what the EC is most critical of. We are not the first country to have been in a situation like that, and in the period ahead we should see how to align with what the EU expects from us," said the minister. This, he added, does not rule out changes to the Constitution. As for whether this would happen during the tenure of the current government, he said that "no one can tell because the whole process depends on a number of conditions." Speaking about the praise received for the fight against corruption - and the criticism of a lack of verdicts in the numerous cases brought before the courts, Selakovic noted that the verdicts "cannot be obtained in a month or two," and that Serbia's courts are "independent, and I expect will be up to the job." Referring to the EC's criticism that the media conduct orchestrated campaigns against the opposition, announcing arrests and revealing details of investigations - and that this information was being leaked from the prosecution - the minister said that "the situation in the organs conducting the investigations is not great," but added that "it can also be said that the media do not always write favorably about the ruling party and its leader, who they even called a dictator and autocrat." He added that information was being leaked to the media in all EU countries as well, "but the difference is that in those countries, the media clearly are defined and divided into the serious ones, and the tabloids." Regarding the objections of the EC over the failure to hold a gay parade in Belgrade for the third year in a row, Selakovic said that the media "do not mention what the Commission assessed positively when it comes to protection and promotion of the rights of LGBT people." On the other hand, Selakovic asked, "what does 'political support' (for the parade) mean". "A politician can say that they support the parade, and then you have 85 percent of the people who come out and say, 'we are against it'," he said. "When you find yourself in the field and when you have two rights to protect, always ask yourself which one is 'heavier'. If on one hand there is the safety of people and property, or let's leave property aside, and on the other the freedom of assembly, then you need to see what is at risk there," he said, adding that "the right of protection of life is also guaranteed by the Constitution, as is protection of minority groups." Asked if "something will change by next year," the minister stated that he was "convinced it will," and that "much needs to be done in that area." "What I would like to say is that we are looking for an alliance in that area, with everyone who deals with the public opinion, and even the media. Let it not turn out that the EU is seen in Serbia when something needs to be taken from the powers related to Kosovo, and to ensure the parade, and that there is nothing else. I also tell this to our partners, and they mostly keep silent (in response)," stressed Selakovic. (Beta, file) B92

"EU is not only about Kosovo and parade"

"The adopted strategy and action plan are realistic and very good, and what is really important now is to apply all of that," he said, adding that Serbia started this because it has already established a good operating authority responsible for implementing the action plan.

Noting that the EC "still sees a real threat of political interference and political pressures," Selaković added that the EC said at the outset that the existing constitutional framework leaves room for political influence in the selection of judges and prosecutors.

"Therefore, the Constitution and constitutional solutions are what the EC is most critical of. We are not the first country to have been in a situation like that, and in the period ahead we should see how to align with what the EU expects from us," said the minister.

This, he added, does not rule out changes to the Constitution. As for whether this would happen during the tenure of the current government, he said that "no one can tell because the whole process depends on a number of conditions."

Speaking about the praise received for the fight against corruption - and the criticism of a lack of verdicts in the numerous cases brought before the courts, Selaković noted that the verdicts "cannot be obtained in a month or two," and that Serbia's courts are "independent, and I expect will be up to the job."

Referring to the EC's criticism that the media conduct orchestrated campaigns against the opposition, announcing arrests and revealing details of investigations - and that this information was being leaked from the prosecution - the minister said that "the situation in the organs conducting the investigations is not great," but added that "it can also be said that the media do not always write favorably about the ruling party and its leader, who they even called a dictator and autocrat."

He added that information was being leaked to the media in all EU countries as well, "but the difference is that in those countries, the media clearly are defined and divided into the serious ones, and the tabloids."

Regarding the objections of the EC over the failure to hold a gay parade in Belgrade for the third year in a row, Selaković said that the media "do not mention what the Commission assessed positively when it comes to protection and promotion of the rights of LGBT people."

On the other hand, Selaković asked, "what does 'political support' (for the parade) mean". "A politician can say that they support the parade, and then you have 85 percent of the people who come out and say, 'we are against it'," he said.

"When you find yourself in the field and when you have two rights to protect, always ask yourself which one is 'heavier'. If on one hand there is the safety of people and property, or let's leave property aside, and on the other the freedom of assembly, then you need to see what is at risk there," he said, adding that "the right of protection of life is also guaranteed by the Constitution, as is protection of minority groups."

Asked if "something will change by next year," the minister stated that he was "convinced it will," and that "much needs to be done in that area."

"What I would like to say is that we are looking for an alliance in that area, with everyone who deals with the public opinion, and even the media. Let it not turn out that the EU is seen in Serbia when something needs to be taken from the powers related to Kosovo, and to ensure the parade, and that there is nothing else. I also tell this to our partners, and they mostly keep silent (in response)," stressed Selaković.