CROATS WRITES EVERY SIX REVIEWS: Last year up to 385 amendments were submitted to the European Parliament report on the progress of our country.

Up to 385 amendments have been tabled to this year’s report, some recognizing Serbia’s reforms and respecting its territorial integrity, others criticizing human rights, the media and even prejudging the status of Kosovo. And there are those “neighbors”.

Tonino Picula, as co-presenter of many amendments, demands, among other things, that accession aid be conditional and crucial to further strengthen core values, and that it be removed in cases of systematic threats to the interests and values ​​of the European Union. He also insists that the scope of the accession assistance for Serbia corresponds to the objective of Kosovo’s European perspective. He also says that the chapters should not be opened further until Serbia commits to reforms.

Tonino Picula and Željana Zovko are included in up to 58 amendments. Zovkova herself presented 19, demanding commitment to the return of the opposition to political and parliamentary activities, insisting on a greater emphasis on the role of the EU in investment and trade with Serbia, but also demanding the promotion of cultural heritage , the language and traditions of national minorities and the firm rejection of any attempt. discrimination or assimilation. It also calls on Serbia to provide equal and non-discriminatory education in minority languages, to provide them with space in national and local media, as well as to ensure equal opportunities and adequate representation in political life, public administration. and the judiciary.

Its amendments seek, among other things, to resolve open bilateral issues with neighbors in relation to war crimes, missing persons, return of stolen cultural property, as well as redouble sincere efforts to recognize and enforce sentences for war crimes. It also notes the significant presence of hate speech and the glorification of war criminals in public, and calls on Serbia to redouble its efforts to combat it. It also insists on harmonization with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.

Tonino Picula and Željana Zovko, Photo European Parliament

The name Picula, as a co-sender, is in 39 amendments. They ask Serbia to fully implement bilateral agreements with its neighbors, accelerate the resolution of border demarcation, succession, return of cultural property … It also emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation in war crimes and missing persons, rejection of the speech of hatred and glorification of war criminals. . He also called on the authorities to refrain from using “inflammatory” speech against the Albanian citizens of Kosovo.

Bulgarian MP Andrej Kovachev called for education to be delivered in the languages ​​of national minorities from pre-school level, with translation and printing of textbooks and appropriate school content for all grades and subjects until the end of secondary education. It also calls for additional efforts to be made in the socio-economic development of the border regions in order to prevent their emigration. He also called on the authorities to continue their efforts to eliminate the legacy of the former communist secret services and open archives to the public, “as a step towards the democratization of Serbia.”

Alexander Alexandrov Jordanov also demands greater efforts to fully protect and guarantee the right to education of national minorities. It also advocates a policy of cooperation with NATO and expresses concern about the intensification of military cooperation with the Russian Federation.

On the other hand, some neighbors insist on respecting the rights of Serbia, such as the Hungarians Andor Deli, Kinga Gal and Andrea Bockor. They (as well as the Spanish Antonio López Istouris White) emphasize the importance of forming the JCC as a crucial element of the Brussels Agreement, salute the active and constructive role of Belgrade in the dialogue and implementation of the agreement, demand a rapid implementation of the new expansion methodology, emphasize that Serbia remains committed to regional cooperation, peace, stability, reconciliation and maintenance of a climate conducive to solving the outstanding bilateral problems of the past. They also underline the fundamental contribution of Serbia to the protection of the external borders of the European Union.

At the same time, these three Hungarian MPs reiterate the importance of approving the Law on Financing of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and demand better coordination for the full, coherent and timely implementation and periodic review of the Action Plan for the exercise of rights of national minorities.