Kovac: I hope next EP resolution on Serbia will be much more objective

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy Parliament Speaker Elvira Kovac, who also chairs the parliamentary committee on EU integration, said on Friday a meeting with a delegation of European Parliament (EP) members earlier in the day had addressed reforms, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) and improvement of electoral conditions, and expressed the hope the next EP resolution on Serbia would be much more objective and much more realistic.

"The topics of the meeting were something that was expected. We mostly discussed the pace of reforms and the way it is being documented. From the National Assembly's point of view, I spoke about a working group that is dealing with improvement of electoral conditions and implementation of ODIHR recommendations - specifically, when it comes to amendments to the law on the unified electoral roll and a commission to revise the electoral roll," Kovac told Tanjug after meeting with the MEPs in the Serbian parliament.

Kovac said she had presented a realistic picture of the process of electing the REM Council members.

"We discussed the ways dialogue is possible in a polarised society and, of course, the responsibility is with the ruling majority. I explained that the elected REM members, who have resigned, had requested something that is anti-constitutional and illegal. So, the only way for us to conclude this procedure in a transparent manner is by having everyone involved in it, and, evidently, we need help with that," Kovac said, adding that the ruling party was offering an opportunity for open dialogue.

She said the meeting had also addressed further cooperation and strengthening the dialogue between the Serbian parliament and the EP, as well as an exhibition commemorating the Jasenovac genocide victims - held in the central lobby of the parliament building - which the MEPs visited in spite of their initial request not to do so.

"I think it is good that they are here, but we should not create a picture that portrays them as omnipotent," Kovac said, adding that the next EP resolution on Serbia would include all conclusions to be made by the MEPs after their visit to the Serbian parliament.

"They also inquired about laws that are currently on the agenda. I explained that we have amended the Constitution and then passed judicial laws, thanks to which we opened our last cluster (in the EU accession talks) four years ago. Of course, a public debate is necessary, but all the detailed explanations have also been provided to them to avoid misinterpretations," Kovac said.

Kovac expressed the belief the next EP resolution on Serbia would be much more objective and much more realistic as MEPs now also held discussions with the ruling coalition, unlike last time, when, as she said, their report was based on claims by the opposition.

She said the last EP report included many political assessments and unverified claims.

"I sincerely hope the next resolution will be much more objective and much more realistic," Kovac said.