**European Parliament Slams Serbia for Lack of Progress in Accession Talks**
The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) has adopted a report criticizing Serbia for its slow progress in accession talks with the EU. The report, written by Rapporteur Tonino Picula, highlights several areas where Serbia needs to improve, including rule of law, the judiciary, and alignment with EU foreign policy.
Despite acknowledging Serbia’s commitment to European integration, the report expresses concern over systemic problems highlighted by student protests in recent months. These protests were met with violence from authorities, leading to concerns about freedom of speech and assembly.
**Concerns Over Violence Against Student Protesters**
The report strongly condemns the violent attacks against peaceful protesters, including the Novi Sad Railway Station tragedy, which claimed several lives. It also expresses concern over the arrests of protesters and urges EU member state embassies to continue monitoring the ensuing legal cases.
Furthermore, the report condemns Serbian authorities’ unsubstantiated allegations that EU Member States were involved in organizing the student protests. This claim was met with widespread criticism from the international community, including the European Parliament itself.
**Media Freedom and Reconciliation Efforts**
The report also touches on issues related to media freedom, calling on Serbia to increase transparency of media ownership and financing. It also urges authorities to investigate and prosecute instances of hate speech, smear campaigns, and strategic lawsuits against journalists.
In addition, the report stresses the importance of reconciliation efforts in Serbia, particularly when it comes to missing persons from the 1990s conflict. It also reiterates support for the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, which aims to improve relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
**Recommendations for Serbia**
The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs has made several recommendations for Serbia to address these concerns. These include:
* Strengthening institutions, such as media regulators
* Improving rule of law and judiciary
* Increasing transparency in media ownership and financing
* Investigating and prosecuting hate speech, smear campaigns, and strategic lawsuits against journalists
* Stepping up reconciliation efforts, particularly when it comes to missing persons
* Continuing cooperation with Kosovo in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue
By adopting this report, the European Parliament has sent a clear message to Serbia that progress is needed in several areas before accession talks can proceed. As the country continues on its path towards EU integration, these recommendations will be crucial in addressing some of the most pressing issues facing Serbian society today.
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