On the situation in Serbia following the elections
B-9-2024-0134
on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Anna Fotyga, Angel Dzhambazki, Assita Kanko, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Adam Bielan, Andżelika Anna Możdżanowska
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
A resolution on Serbia after the 17 December 2023 elections. It expects Serbia to implement OSCE/ODIHR election recommendations, speed up EU accession reforms, align with EU sanctions on Russia, and cut growing ties with Moscow.¶¶¶ It urges action against corruption and organised crime, better media freedom, and an investigation into the alleged beating of opposition politician Nikola Sandulović.¶¶¶ It condemns Russian actions in Serbia and the Western Balkans and Serbia's military and intelligence cooperation with Russia, including a Serbian volunteer unit to fight in Ukraine.¶¶
Key points
- Expects Serbia to implement OSCE/ODIHR recommendations for future elections after the final report, and stresses that police action must be proportionate and respect fundamental rights.¶
- Expects Serbia to accelerate EU accession reforms, especially on the rule of law and normalisation of relations with Kosovo through the EU-facilitated dialogue.¶
- Reiterates the EU's expectation that Serbia fully align with EU common foreign and security policy positions and restrictive measures, particularly those on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.¶
- Is seriously concerned about growing Serbia-Russia ties and Serbia's deepening dependence on Russian investments and trade.¶
- Urges Serbia to fight corruption and organised crime and to improve freedom of expression and media independence, including its media strategy action plan.¶¶
- Expresses concern about frequent high-level meetings between Serbian and Russian leaders and says deepening relations with Russia goes against common European interests.¶
- Is appalled by Serbia's military and intelligence cooperation with Russia and the creation of a Serbian volunteer unit to fight in Ukraine on Russia's side.¶
- Strongly condemns Russian actions in Serbia and the Western Balkans aimed at undermining the EU, NATO and the US and destabilising the region.¶
- Calls for an urgent investigation into the alleged kidnapping and torture of opposition politician Nikola Sandulović by secret service agents and for those responsible to be brought to justice.¶
Who is affected
- Serbia: expected to implement election recommendations, speed up EU reforms, align with EU sanctions on Russia and cut ties with Moscow.¶¶¶
- Serbian authorities: urged to fight corruption and organised crime and to improve media freedom.¶¶
- Serbian security forces: alleged beating of Nikola Sandulović is to be investigated and those responsible brought to justice.¶
- Russia: its actions in Serbia and the Western Balkans are condemned.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 17 December 2023: date of the snap parliamentary and local elections in Serbia.¶
- 19 December 2023: date of the statement by Josep Borrell and Olivér Várhelyi on the electoral process.¶
- 1 September 2013: entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Serbia.¶
- 19 December 2009: date of Serbia's application for EU membership.¶
- 18 March 2023: date of the Agreement on the path to normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia.¶