MEPs call for tougher line on Serbia as rule-of-law problems stall membership talks

The European Parliament voted for more thorough implementation of Serbia’s EU harmonisation reforms while negotiations on a new accession cluster failed to reach a consensus on Wednesday (8 July). 

Although still broadly seen as a strong ally in the Balkans, Belgrade’s misalignment with European civil liberties and security policies has stalled its accession negotiations for EU membership.

“We’d like to call on the commission to stop funding to Serbia,” the Croatian MEP and rapporteur to Serbia Tonino Picula told the parliament’s plenary in Strasbourg on Tuesday (7 July) — the night before a vote on his report outlining the country’s deteriorating rule-of-law record.

That report describes a recent backsliding of civil liberties and free media, as well as “increasing violence, intimidation and irregularities reported during the local elections,” Picula told press on Wednesday.

The warnings in the report were adopted by 468 votes in favour, 116 against and 79 abstentions. 

Meanwhile in Brussels, the European Commission hopes to unlock a new cluster in Serbia’s accession were blocked by eight member states on Wednesday.