The European Parliament, while welcoming Serbia's continued efforts in the context of the normalisation process for relations with Kosovo, expressed concern on Thursday 29 November about possible territorial changes.
In David McAllister's (EPP, Germany) report on Serbia, adopted by 503 votes to 85 with 47 abstentions, Parliament "notes the ongoing discussions and public statements on possible border adjustments between Serbia and Kosovo, including land swaps” and warns that “ethnically pure states should not be the objective in the region”. “Any agreement could only be acceptable if both sides agree and take into account the overall stability of the region and international law”, say MEPs, who also call for the implementation of agreements already concluded.
While Parliament welcomes Serbia's continued commitment to EU integration, it urges it to step up its efforts, particularly in the field of the rule of law and the fight against corruption and organised crime.
The country must also continue to reform its public administration in order to guarantee its neutrality and ensure the “independence and overall efficiency of its judicial system”.
Serbia should also align itself more closely with the EU's foreign and security policy, particularly with regard to Russia, Parliament said. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)