The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament welcome the adoption of the reports on Serbia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro and Kosovo, and call on the European Commission and the Council to show renewed EU commitment to the Western Balkan enlargement process.
S&D vice-chair responsible for foreign affairs, Knut Fleckenstein MEP, said:
"The four reports, adopted today by the European Parliament, send a clear message that we continue to strongly support the aspirations of the Western Balkan countries to co-operate closely with the EU, to engage in European reforms and to become EU members themselves. We will be sure to keep enlargement high on the EU’s political agenda.
"The process of integration with the EU will strengthen the democratic institutions of these countries and will modernise their economies. It will also improve the lives of citizens.
"At the same time, Western Balkan countries must remain committed to the European Union's values and must accelerate their efforts in order to successfully implement the necessary reforms."
Serbia
S&D vice-president and rapporteur Tanja Fajon MEP said:
"I congratulate Serbia on the progress achieved on its path to the EU. It should serve as a source of optimism, as well as motivation for the work which remains to be done.
"At the same time, I regret that some Croatian MEPs from the EPP - by calling on Serbia to amend the law regarding war crimes jurisdiction, similar to that in the majority of EU member states - have again used the European Parliament as a forum for domestic political disputes.
"It is crucial for Belgrade to continue the dialogue on normalising relations with Priština. The recent agreement on the judiciary between the two sides is an important step with significant implications for people in Serbia and Kosovo.
"Our main message is clear: negotiations with Serbia, including chapters 23 and 24 (covering the judiciary and fundamental rights, and justice, freedom and security), should be opened as soon as possible. The Socialists and Democrats will remain a credible and critical watchdog, and a supporter of Serbia's accession to EU. We will continue to monitor Serbia's progress on improving the rule of law and media freedom, as well as Serbia's efforts to harmonise its foreign policy with that of the EU, in particular when it comes to their position towards Russia."
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
S&D MEP Richard Howitt said:
"The S&D Group continues to support setting a date for EU accession talks to begin. However I am forced to express my deep concern about the impact the current political crisis in the country is having on the prospects for realising that aim.
"My Group recognises its responsibility to avoid further polarising forces in the country, which is why I worked with my EPP colleagues to secure the 1 March 2013 agreement and have expressed my willingness - if asked - to do so again now.
"However success would require genuine political will on both sides and the country’s long-term interests require its own political institutions to function properly, not reliance on external assistance."
Montenegro
S&D MEP Nikos Androulakis said:
"We acknowledge the progress made by Montenegro in its EU accession negotiations and welcome the reforms that are currently being planned or are already being implemented.
"We will continue to support Montenegro's European integration and we call for progress to be made in the accession negotiations without undue delays, in line with our position that 'the EU should deliver, as long and as soon as the candidate countries deliver'.
"The Montenegrin government should now focus on reforms relating to the rule of law, the improvement of public administration and increasing transparency within the political system.
Kosovo
S&D MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri said:
"Kosovo needs to deliver on strengthening the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary, the fight against organised crime and corruption and reforms in their public administration.
"Socio-economic developments have to be carefully dealt with. Kosovo's authorities have to responsibly outline a vision and provide Kosovo's citizens with a perspective of tangible economic improvement."
