15. 05. 2013

VARGA: JUDICIARY, MEDIA AND PARADE CRUCIAL FOR THE DATE

Belgrade, May 15, 2013 (Blic) - From domestic reforms that are important for EU integration of Serbia, the reform of judiciary and four legislations pending the adoption in the Parliament are the priority.

Media freedoms follow, namely the fact that the Media Strategy has been adopted but not all laws have been aligned with this strategic document.

Combating corruption has been mentioned so far in a positive context, as considerably commended in the Resolution of the European Parliament, but there are some concrete court decisions expected in that respect.

The Pride Parade will surely be carefully observed from the position of respect of human rights. However, none of these criteria is crucial for getting the date for beginning of talks, according to Laszlo Varga, Vice President of the Parliament's Committee for EU Integrations.

Varga explains that the only condition that official Belgrade needs to meet is the one on Kosovo, since EU member states are insisting on it. The European Commission mentions other conditions, however, it will not be the one deciding on the date, but chiefs of states and government.

"The Council of Europe will make a decision in June with positive recommendation to Serbia. It is not realistic to expect that it will give the concrete date", Varga said.