Kacin calls on EC to set date of talks
Rapporteur of the European Parliament (EP) for Serbia Jelko Kacin called on the European Council on Wednesday to set the date of accession talks for Serbia and expressed the hope that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue would produce results by the end of the week.
(kosovocompromisestuff) Wednesday, April 17, 2013
During EP plenary session on the report and Serbia's progress, Kacin expressed the hope that the meeting between the prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo would produce results by the end of the week, adding that a breakthrough would have long-term consequences for the European integration of both countries and the Western Balkans as a whole, as well as for the economic recovery of the region hit by the crisis.
In his report, Kacin said that Serbia has made considerable progress in certain areas of reforms connected to the EU and called on the EC to set the date of Serbia's accession talks because it serves the interests of both Serbia and the EU.
Commenting on the issue of Vojvodina's autonomy, Kacin said that political tension between the central and provincial bodies has increased of late in terms of Vojvodina's powers and called on all sides, especially the Belgrade authorities, to moderate the tone of the debate.
A political and legal solution to the issue of Vojvodina's autonomy should not be discussed in the street, it should be tackled through a normal democratic and institutional framework which would ensure that specific economic and historical features of Vojvodina are recognised, he said.
Pointing to the key importance of the judiciary reform and the fight against organised crime and corruption, Kacin said that the key test of the rule of law in Serbia would be an investigation into the political background of the assassination of late prime minister Zoran Djindjic and arrest of those responsible for the murders of reporters back in the 90s.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele addressed the EP by saying that Kacin's report is comprehensive and that it reflects Serbia's progress well.
We have reached the breakpoint again, Fuele said and expressed the hope that Pristina and Belgrade can achieve new results in the dialogue and end it with a clear agreement to the interest of Serbia and Kosovo, their citizens, the Balkans and the EU, Fuele said.
The commissioner also underscored the support to the brave moves of the Serbian government with a view to finding a solution. The EP will vote on the report on Thursday.
In his report, Kacin said that Serbia has made considerable progress in certain areas of reforms connected to the EU and called on the EC to set the date of Serbia's accession talks because it serves the interests of both Serbia and the EU.
Commenting on the issue of Vojvodina's autonomy, Kacin said that political tension between the central and provincial bodies has increased of late in terms of Vojvodina's powers and called on all sides, especially the Belgrade authorities, to moderate the tone of the debate.
A political and legal solution to the issue of Vojvodina's autonomy should not be discussed in the street, it should be tackled through a normal democratic and institutional framework which would ensure that specific economic and historical features of Vojvodina are recognised, he said.
Pointing to the key importance of the judiciary reform and the fight against organised crime and corruption, Kacin said that the key test of the rule of law in Serbia would be an investigation into the political background of the assassination of late prime minister Zoran Djindjic and arrest of those responsible for the murders of reporters back in the 90s.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele addressed the EP by saying that Kacin's report is comprehensive and that it reflects Serbia's progress well.
We have reached the breakpoint again, Fuele said and expressed the hope that Pristina and Belgrade can achieve new results in the dialogue and end it with a clear agreement to the interest of Serbia and Kosovo, their citizens, the Balkans and the EU, Fuele said.
The commissioner also underscored the support to the brave moves of the Serbian government with a view to finding a solution. The EP will vote on the report on Thursday.
