Giaufret: For the normalization of relations, the key is fulfilling obligations, and that means the CSM

The Head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia emphasized today, after submitting the Progress Report on Serbia to Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, that regarding the chapter concerning the relations between Serbia and Kosovo, fulfilling the undertaken obligations is crucial, including the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities.

When it comes to the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, Giaufret stated that this had been a challenging year with numerous crises but also steps like the Agreement on the Road to Normalization and its implementation annex.

"The crucial thing is the implementation of the undertaken obligations, which includes the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, as well as the obligations that Serbia has", Giaufret said.

He added that they expected progress in the normalization of relations with Kosovo.

Noticeable progress in the field of justice

Giaufret highlighted that they had noticed the continuation of judicial reform in Serbia, and the report indicated some progress in the judiciary.

"We have seen laws being implemented, five laws, the creation of a high law system, and the prosecution are in progress. The Commission also notes progress in laws that require a change of culture, concerning the adoption of sub-legislation in the coming year. We need to see the message that the judiciary must be independent, and the Prosecution autonomous", Giaufret stated.

Regarding the fight against corruption, he said that limited progress had been observed in Serbia. Speaking about the fight against organized crime, he emphasized that it was crucial to encourage a systematic approach to asset confiscation investigations and the systematic application of the "follow the money to find the crime" approach.

He also touched on economic issues, reminding that the Serbian Government had committed to economic reforms and macroeconomic stability. He noted progress in several areas: the fiscal framework, reform of state-owned enterprises, reducing administrative burdens, and the process of public-private consultations.

"We need to make more efforts to unlock the full potential of the Serbian economy", Giaufret concluded.

He mentioned the EU's plan to provide six billion euros in aid to Western Balkan countries and emphasized that specific areas had been identified that could serve to help Serbia and the Western Balkans join the single market so that citizens could feel the benefits of membership even before the countries themselves became members.

He stated that the funds for Western Balkan countries would depend on the implementation of reforms and also on the fulfillment of obligations from the agreements between Serbia and Kosovo, particularly the Brussels Agreement.

He also said that the European Union did not see progress in Serbia's foreign policy.

"The rate of alignment, including when it comes to restrictive measures against Russia, as well as numerous declarations, is stagnating", Giaufret said.

At the core of all EU decisions - enlargement

He emphasized that at the core of all European Commission decisions, enlargement took a central place in EU policy, and he added that an opportunity existed and should be seized.

When asked whether the funds intended to assist candidate countries, such as Serbia, would be conditional on progress in the dialogue with Pristina, Giaufret replied that the EU expected both sides to fulfill their obligations.

“There are a number of obligations that the parties have undertaken, and we expect them to be fulfilled. That is the way we will assess compliance with the criteria", he said.

Regarding media laws, Giaufret said that the European Commission had assessed that certain steps had been taken in Serbia concerning the independence of the Regulatory Authority of Electronic Media (REM) and its capacity to protect media pluralism.

He stated that it was necessary to implement laws to make financing more transparent and accessible and to introduce press codes to respect ethical standards properly.