The European Parliament has finished the debate on the resolution on the implementation of the EU common foreign and security policy (CFSP), which should be adopted tomorrow, and in the part of that document that refers to Serbia, it is stated that Belgrade must harmonize its foreign policy with that of the EU.
In the resolution, it is stated that the European Parliament “regrets Serbia’s continuously low level of compliance” with the CFSP and reiterates that “new accession negotiation chapters should be opened only when Serbia bolsters its commitment to reforms in the areas of democracy and the rule of law and show that it is fully aligned with the EU’s foreign policy”.
In the EP resolution, authored by the chairman of the EP foreign affairs committee, David McAllister, it is stated that Serbia, as a country striving to become an EU member, “must adhere to the EU’s common values and rights “.
The basis of the Resolution, as stated, is the tectonic changes that have occurred in the geopolitical environment and are the result of Russian military aggression against Ukraine and other international challenges.
When it comes to the EU’s policy towards the Western Balkans, it is underlined that the WB needs candidate countries and potential candidate countries to fully harmonize their policies with the CFSP, especially with the policy of sanctions against third countries.
In the resolution, the European Commission and member states are invited to use this policy as a tool for improving cooperation with the countries of the Western Balkans.
In relation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the resolution calls for “targeted sanctions against destabilizing actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including those who threaten its sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially Milorad Dodik” and calls on all member states to vote for this measure.
The resolution also expresses concern about the work of Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi and “allegations that the Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner is deliberately trying to circumvent and undermine the role of democratic and rule of law reforms in countries that want to join the Union.”
In this regard, the resolution appeals to the EC “to initiate an independent and impartial investigation into whether the actions and policies advocated by the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement constitute a violation of the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Commission and its obligations.”
(Danas, 18.01.2023)
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