Mercier: Media freedom, freedom of expression are fundamental EU values

BRUSSELS - Commenting on blockades of Serbia's national and regional public broadcasters RTS and RTV and "wanted posters" for RTS editors and journalists, European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said on Wednesday media freedom and freedom of expression were fundamental EU values.

"We provided you with our position yesterday, so there is not much I can add. What I can say is that, in general, you know that media freedom and freedom of expression are fundamental values in the EU," Mercier said at a Brussels press briefing in response to a Tanjug request for a comment.

Asked by a Croatian reporter what would happen if Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic went to Moscow for a May 9 parade despite EU foreign policy and security chief Kaja Kallas's request to EU membership candidates not to attend the military parade in Moscow, Mercier said the EC would not speculate on what might be possible after such a visit.

He said Serbia was in EU membership talks which implied alignment with the EU, including when it comes to foreign policy.

Mercier added that, therefore, the EU wanted Serbia to be a dependable European partner for common principles, values, security and prosperity and that Serbia needed to convince the EU this was its strategic position.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mercier said the EU was aware of the blockades in Serbia and "following closely the current domestic political situation" in the country.