Bilcik on the dialogue: The ball is in Pristina's hands

The rapporteur of the European Parliament for Serbia, Vladimir Bilcik, said, on the occasion of the last round of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels, that the ball was currently in the hands of Pristina and that it was the one that should unblock the process that would lead to the formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities.

In an interview for Demostat, Bilcik said, among other things, that it was important for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to continue, but that it was even more important that it brought results.

"As I said before, the ball is very much in Pristina's hands at this moment. Pristina needs to unblock the process that will lead to the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, as well as cooperate in finding a practical solution so that new elections can be held in the north of Kosovo," Bilcik said.

When asked what he thought about the year 2030 as a possible date for the admission of the countries of the Western Balkans to the European Union, Bilcik replied that all those who were ready to join the Union would be able to do so.

"I am convinced that this is a signal that the European Union is ready and committed to the next enlargement and that those who are ready to join the EU will be able to do so. Therefore, instead of discussing some specific dates at this moment, I would focus on the implementation of reforms, the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as on harmonization with the European Union in all segments, including foreign relations. In my opinion, these would be the best signals that Serbia is ready to join the European Union as soon as possible." Bilcik said.

Commenting on the request of the opposition parties in Serbia that early elections be organized already in December, Bilcik said that the decision to call early elections was in the hands of the relevant authorities.

"It is politically important that any decisions related to representative democracy in Serbia lead to a situation that enables a public atmosphere with less division and polarization, as well as an atmosphere that favors reforms, which is of key importance for progress on Serbia's path to the European Union," Bilcik said.