Ambassadors of the European Union member states on Wednesday, at Germany’s request, held an emergency debate on the situation in Serbia following the adoption of judicial laws which the European Commission assessed as representing a significant step backward, Radio Television of Serbia learned today from diplomatic sources in Brussels.
No decisions were made during the debate, but several countries called for consideration of suspending funds from the Growth Plan for Serbia if the adopted judicial laws remain in force, while some states welcomed Belgrade’s readiness not to implement the legislation until the opinion of the Venice Commission is published, which is expected in June.
Several member states, including the Scandinavian and Baltic countries, the Netherlands and others, expressed “serious concern,” assessing that the judicial laws represent regression in the key area of the rule of law.
According to diplomatic sources, some countries requested that the European Commission consider suspending payments from the Growth Plan to Serbia if the opinion of the Venice Commission is not taken into account. The discussion also raised the issue of anti-EU rhetoric and Serbia’s abstention during the vote on the resolution on Ukraine at the UN General Assembly.
On the other hand, a group of countries, including France, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia and others, advocated for a “balanced approach” toward Serbia, warning that a “hasty suspension of payments” from the Growth Plan would harm the strategic interest of bringing Serbia closer to the EU.
As in last December, these countries supported returning the opening of Cluster 3 in negotiations with Serbia to the agenda, citing the merit-based principle and the European Commission’s assessment that Belgrade meets the necessary technical conditions. Some member states pointed out that criticism of the judicial laws would be more credible if the EU acknowledged that certain progress had been achieved in other areas, diplomatic sources state.
Similar discussions on the consequences of adopting the judicial laws have already been held several times during February at the level of the enlargement working group of the member states (COELA).
Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos earlier this month stated that the European Commission will assess whether the preconditions for the disbursement of European funds to Serbia are still being met.
According to the regulation on the Western Balkans Growth Plan, the preconditions for using funds from that instrument are the functioning of the democratic system and the rule of law, and in the case of Belgrade and Pristina, also “constructive engagement in dialogue.”
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Source: Danas, Foto: Pixabay