European Parliament passes resolution on Serbia

STRASBOURG - The European Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution on the situation in Serbia following the December elections in the country.

The resolution was carried with 461 votes in favour and 53 against and 43 abstentions.

MEPs also passed Article 27, which stipulates that Serbia's EU accession talks should advance only if the country makes significant progress on EU-related reforms, including full implementation of recommendations by OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission.

The article calls on the European Commission and the Council of the EU to apply strict conditions, monitor closely reports issued by the European Court of Auditors and immediately launch a review of funding provided to the Serbian government as part of IPA III and other financial instruments.

The article underlines that, in case Serbian authorities are not prepared to meet key elections-related recommendations or an inquiry reveals the authorities were directly involved in electoral fraud, the EC should stop EU funding for Serbia on the grounds of gross violations of electoral regulations.

The article was passed with 307 votes in favour and 228 against and 19 abstentions.

The resolution is not legally binding.