EP debates Serbia's progress in integrations

STRASBOURG Members of the European Parliament (EP) commended the Belgrade authorities on efforts invested in the normalization of relations with Pristina. They also commended the determination in the implementation of internal reforms, Tanjug reported. EP debates Serbia's progress in integrations Opening the debate on Serbia's progress in European integration late on Wednesday, Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas welcomed the beginning of accession talks with Serbia. He said that Greece has always supported the EU enlargement process and commended Belgrade and Pristina on the progress they made in the dialogue which produced results which up until recently were unimaginable. In his address to the EP, European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule stated that the 100th anniversary of World War I is drawing nearer as a milestone which contributed to the unfortunate negative associations of the Balkans with conflicts and violence. Nowadays, the Balkans brings up associations of the dialogue, development of good neighborly relations and economic recovery, Fule said and added that this is the right time for a discussion on Serbia because its EU accession talks will open at the session of the intergovernmental conference in Brussels next week already. He noted that the progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is a proof that the EU can inspire and contribute to reconciliation in the region. During the debate which gathered several dozen MPs, all participants voiced support to reforms in Serbia and the Brussels agreement, starting from EP Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin whose annual report on progress in European integration served as the basis for the debate at the plenary session in Strasbourg. Kacin underscored that Serbia has considerable though often underestimated human and economic potentials which need to be put to good use after years' long isolation and autistic approach to major challenges, and he especially commended Belgrade on its constructive approach in the dialogue with Pristina. Serbia stopped assuming a hostile stand on the Kosovo issue since Prime Minister Ivica Dacic offered a friendly hand to his Kosovo colleague Hashim Thaci, Kacin said and added that first steps are at the same time the most difficult ones. EP Rapporteur for Kosovo Ulrike Lunacek expressed regret over the annulment of the elections in northern Kosovska Mitrovica and added that she hopes this will not cause an interruption in the implementation of the Brussels agreement. Dutch MP Marije Cornelissen called on Serbia to grab with both hands the opportunity it is being offered and continue with systemic reforms. The MP of the Group of the Greens called for further efforts in achievement of equality for women and respect of minority rights. German MP Elmar Brok recalled that the EU promised a European perspective to the Western Balkans ten years ago. Now we need to live up to the promise, he said. Eduard Kukan of the Friends of Serbia group qualified as impressive the progress which Serbia made in the past year and expressed the belief that Serbia will both successfully start and complete the association talks. Among the few resonant tones, right-wing Croatian MP Ruza Tomasic said that Serbia has not broken off its dark past and has not changed the aggressive policy from the 1990's. Several Hungarian MPs voiced criticism against the Belgrade government over the position of Hungarians in Vojvodina and German MP Bernd Posselt said that the treatment of Albanians in the southern part of the country was "terrifying." "The police are breaking into schools, searching students and confiscating textbooks," he said. For the most part of the two-hour debate, positive tones were heard and Fule expressed gratitude to Kacin and the EP for the support to the EU enlargement process. Kacin's draft resolution on Serbia, which was adjusted before the EP Foreign Affairs Committee last year, will be adopted at the Thursday session of the Parliament and the voting has been scheduled for noon. (FoNet, file) Tanjug

EP debates Serbia's progress in integrations

Opening the debate on Serbia's progress in European integration late on Wednesday, Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas welcomed the beginning of accession talks with Serbia.

He said that Greece has always supported the EU enlargement process and commended Belgrade and Priština on the progress they made in the dialogue which produced results which up until recently were unimaginable.

In his address to the EP, European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule stated that the 100th anniversary of World War I is drawing nearer as a milestone which contributed to the unfortunate negative associations of the Balkans with conflicts and violence.

Nowadays, the Balkans brings up associations of the dialogue, development of good neighborly relations and economic recovery, Fule said and added that this is the right time for a discussion on Serbia because its EU accession talks will open at the session of the intergovernmental conference in Brussels next week already.

He noted that the progress in the Belgrade-Priština dialogue is a proof that the EU can inspire and contribute to reconciliation in the region.

During the debate which gathered several dozen MPs, all participants voiced support to reforms in Serbia and the Brussels agreement, starting from EP Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin whose annual report on progress in European integration served as the basis for the debate at the plenary session in Strasbourg.

Kacin underscored that Serbia has considerable though often underestimated human and economic potentials which need to be put to good use after years' long isolation and autistic approach to major challenges, and he especially commended Belgrade on its constructive approach in the dialogue with Priština.

Serbia stopped assuming a hostile stand on the Kosovo issue since Prime Minister Ivica Dačić offered a friendly hand to his Kosovo colleague Hashim Thaci, Kacin said and added that first steps are at the same time the most difficult ones.

EP Rapporteur for Kosovo Ulrike Lunacek expressed regret over the annulment of the elections in northern Kosovska Mitrovica and added that she hopes this will not cause an interruption in the implementation of the Brussels agreement.

Dutch MP Marije Cornelissen called on Serbia to grab with both hands the opportunity it is being offered and continue with systemic reforms. The MP of the Group of the Greens called for further efforts in achievement of equality for women and respect of minority rights.

German MP Elmar Brok recalled that the EU promised a European perspective to the Western Balkans ten years ago. Now we need to live up to the promise, he said.

Eduard Kukan of the Friends of Serbia group qualified as impressive the progress which Serbia made in the past year and expressed the belief that Serbia will both successfully start and complete the association talks.

Among the few resonant tones, right-wing Croatian MP Ruža Tomašić said that Serbia has not broken off its dark past and has not changed the aggressive policy from the 1990's.

Several Hungarian MPs voiced criticism against the Belgrade government over the position of Hungarians in Vojvodina and German MP Bernd Posselt said that the treatment of Albanians in the southern part of the country was "terrifying."

"The police are breaking into schools, searching students and confiscating textbooks," he said.

For the most part of the two-hour debate, positive tones were heard and Fule expressed gratitude to Kacin and the EP for the support to the EU enlargement process.

Kacin's draft resolution on Serbia, which was adjusted before the EP Foreign Affairs Committee last year, will be adopted at the Thursday session of the Parliament and the voting has been scheduled for noon.