EP draft resolution talks about "policy on Russia," Savamala

EP draft resolution talks about "policy on Russia," Savamala

The motion, that will be discussed on Thursday by EP's foreign policy committee, also calls on Belgrade to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including the policy on Russia.

According to the text, the EP has "taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution."

The document, prepared by EP rapporteur for Serbia David McAllister, "reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media."

The motion welcomes the opening of new EU membership negotiations on chapters, and states that "Serbia has taken important steps towards the normalization of relations with Kosovo," welcoming at the same time "the progress made in developing a functioning market economy and the improvement of the overall economic situation in the country."

The proposed document "commends Serbia’s constructive approach in dealing with the migration crisis" and "stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law," while calling on the Commission and the Council "to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges" and "encouraging Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues."

Serbia has made "good progress in addressing some of its policy weaknesses, in particular with regard to the budget deficit," the motion said, highlighting that "growth prospects have improved and domestic and external imbalances have been reduced," while "the restructuring of publicly owned enterprises has advanced."

The draft "notes the paramount importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Serbia's economy."

The EP is "concerned by the lack of progress in the fight against corruption and urges Serbia to show clear commitment in tackling this issue," calling on Serbia to "step up the implementation of the national anti-corruption strategy and action plan, and for the establishment of an initial track record on investigations, prosecutions and convictions for high-level corruption."

The document further "welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realization of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities," and "notes that (Autonomous Province of) Vojvodina’s cultural diversity also contributes to Serbia’s identity" while "underlining that Vojvodina has maintained a high degree of protection for minorities and that the inter-ethnic situation has remained good" and "stressing that the autonomy of Vojvodina should not be weakened and that the law on Vojvodina’s resources should be without further delay, as prescribed by the constitution."

The motion also "regrets that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament (Serbian National Assembly)."