Brnabic: SNS a dependable partner to EPP, I have had no discussions about exclusion

BRUSSELS - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Friday she had had no discussions in Brussels about a potential exclusion of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) from the European People's Party (EPP) and noted that the SNS was a solid and dependable partner to the EPP.

Brnabic was responding to questions from reporters whether the matter had been discussed during her visit to Brussels, and whether the SNS would perhaps follow the example of Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party, as Fidesz has left the EPP before a debate about its exclusion from the group.

"No. The SNS is a solid, dependable partner to the EPP. We have good relations, excellent relations, and constant communication. Among other things, I am the SNS international secretary and I have had many discussions in the past several days. I also discussed that today with the president of the European Parliament, who is also in the EPP, so we have no problems there. Once again - we are open to dialogue and open to discussions," Brnabic said.

"It is important that we have open discussions so that people understand what is going on," she said.

"Because they constantly hear one side, and that side is withholding important information from MEPs, for instance," Brnabic added.

EPP leader Manfred Weber recently said a potential exclusion of the SNS would be discussed in the coming days as the EPP had not "turned a blind eye to what is happening in Serbia."