2016/2311(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11

~~— having regard to the Joint Conclusions of the Economic and Financial Dialogue between the EU and the Western Balkans and Turkey of 26 May 2016 (9500/16),~~deleted

Amendment 100 #

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; stresses that the alignment of foreign and security policy is the precondition to join the EU and regrets the continued refusal of Serbian authorities to align its policy towards Russia with the pro-European orientation of the country; welcomes Serbia’'s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; is concerned about Serbia's continuing military cooperation with Russia, including procurement of strategic arms and joint military exercises in vicinity of the EU borders; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations; regrets that on the common commercial policy no progress was made on Serbia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO);

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy ~~with that of the EU~~, including its policy on Russia, with that of the EU, not least by associating itself with the EU restrictive measures against Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 104 #

Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia, as a clear sign of political dedication to the EU accession; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. CReiterates its calls on Serbia to progressively align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including on restrictive measures and on its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 106 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including ~~its policy on Russi~~restrictive measures against Russia following the illegal annexation of Crimea; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy ~~with~~to that of the EU , including its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’'s important contribution to and continued participation in EU led mission that Serbia has been invited to, as well as in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 108 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align progressively its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including on restrictive measures and its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 109 #

Daniel CASPARY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy ~~with that of the EU~~, including its policy on Russia, with the foreign and security policy of the EU, ; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13

— having regard to the third meeting of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council held on 163 December 2016;,

Amendment 110 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to progressively align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 111 #

Manolis KEFALOGIANNIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to progressively align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU~~, including its policy on Russia~~; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to make an effort to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU~~, including its policy on Russia~~; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Maintains that no joint military exercises should be held with Russia, as these are a source of irritation to Serbia's neighbours that belong to the EU;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. C~~ommends Serbia’~~alls constructive approach in dealing with the migration crisis; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; s the European Institutions not to exploit candidate country status in order to turn countriesses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges; encourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues surrounding the EU, which have fallen victim to Germany's irresponsible migration poicy, into vast holding camps; insists that those countries be allowed to send illegal immigrants back to where they come from;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Commends~~Takes note of Serbia’s constructive approach in dealing with the migration crisis; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges; encourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continuesencourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues; recalls however, that according to UNHCR Serbia remains the first country in Europe on the issue of forced migration after the 90' conflicts, as well as one of the top five countries in the world with a protracted refugee situation. Recalls that according to the Serbian government, in June 2016, the number of refugees in Serbia was 20.334 from the Republic of Croatia; 9.080 from Bosnia and Herzegovina and 203.140 from Kosovo;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Commends Serbia’s constructive approach in dealing with the migration crisis; notes however, that constructive approach with neighbouring countries regarding migration should be fostered; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges; encourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues; is concerned about the fact that high percentage of asylum seekers from Serbia is from Roma population;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Commends Serbia’s constructive approach in dealing with the migration crisis; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges and helping to ensure and enable, under the pressure of the migrant flows, the good operation of transport, logistics and infrastructure links across its external borders; encourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues;

Amendment 119 #

7. ~~Commend~~Notes Serbia’s ~~constructive~~ approach in dealing with the migration crisis; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges, as well as closely monitor the application of financial subsidies for the organization and handling of migrant flows, in order to avoid abuse of financial subsidies; encourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14

~~— having regard to its resolution of 4 February 2016 on the 2015 Report on Serbia2 , _________________ 2 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0046.~~deleted

Amendment 120 #

Alex MAYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Commends Serbia’s constructive approach in dealing with the migration crisis; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges; encourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues; calls on Serbia to ensure unaccompanied and separated minors are identified and protected;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Commends Serbia’s constructive approach in dealing with the migration crisis; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges; points out that Serbia, as regards migration, is a transit country; encourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Commends Serbia’'s constructive approach in dealing with the migration crisis; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges; encourages Serbia to ~~ensure that the downward trend~~ sustain the decreasing t~~he number~~rend of asylum seekers ~~coming into the EU from Serbia continues~~from Serbia to the EU and to fully respect the rights of asylum applicants in Serbia;

Amendment 123 #

Manolis KEFALOGIANNIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Commends Serbia’s constructive and humanitarian approach in dealing with the migration crisis; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges; encourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Commends Serbia’s ~~constructive~~ approach in dealing with the migration crisis; takes positive note of the fact that Serbia has made substantial efforts to ensure that third country nationals receive shelter and humanitarian supplies with EU and international support; stresses that Serbia should adopt and implement the new asylum law; calls on the Commission and the Council to provide continued support for Serbia in addressing migration challenges; encourages Serbia to ensure that the downward trend in the number of asylum seekers coming into the EU from Serbia continues;

Amendment 125 #

Ulrike LUNACEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Appreciates the efforts Serbia has done over the last year in hosting and taking care of thousands of refugees, more than some Member states have done; points out that over a thousand refugees and migrants are still being exposed to disease and inhuman living conditions in abandoned warehouses in central Belgrade with winter temperatures reaching -20 C in January; calls on the Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs to ensure all refugees and migrants are provided with basic services such as adequate housing, food, sanitation and healthcare and NGOs are not stopped from distributing aid; urges the Commission to quickly assist Serbia in all of these efforts;

Amendment 126 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI, Jozo RADOŠ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Calls on the Commission to continue the work on migration related issues with all the countries of the Western Balkans, in order to ensure that European and international norms and standards are followed; welcomes the work done so far and underlines that adequate IPA funding should be set aside to this end;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; notes that the Law of Universal Jurisdiction, whereby Serbia is entitled to prosecute war crimes committed anywhere on the soil of the former SFRY by perpetrators who neither at that time nor at present were or are Serbian nationals, and whose victims are likewise not Serbian nationals, is still in force in Serbia; calls for the Law of Universal Jurisdiction to be repealed; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; calls on the authorities to bring the legal framework for the recruitment and the appointment of judges and prosecutors in line with European standards in order to reduce political influence on the judiciary; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 129 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI, Jozo RADOŠ, Marietje SCHAAKE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; regrets that the constitutional and legislative framework is not yet in line with European standards thus leaving scope for undue political influence in the recruitment and appointment of judges; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16

~~— having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A8- 0000/2016),~~deleted

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; further efforts are needed to put the legal framework in line with European standards to reduce political influence in the recruitment and appointment of judges and prosecutors; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; calls for further action to protect the independence and integrity of the judicial system and access to justice; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciaryl system and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice, which prevents judges and prosecutors from implementing the adopted legislation; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area ~~relating to the judiciary, in particular by~~of judiciary, namely in taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and by further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of ~~the~~ workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system that needs to be established; calls for the implementation of the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice, particularly in the recruitment and appointment of judges and prosecutors; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while some progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain under~~mined by~~ constraints due to an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while ~~some progr~~changess hasve been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; ~~stresse~~highlights that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that, while ~~some~~ progress has been made in the area relating to the judiciary, in particular by taking steps to harmonise jurisprudence and further promoting a merit-based recruitment system, judicial independence is not assured in practice; stresses that the quality and efficiency of the judiciary and access to justice remain undermined by an uneven distribution of the workload, a burdensome case backlog and the lack of a free legal aid system;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Is concerned by the lack of progress in the fight against corruption and urges Serbia to show clear commitment in tackling this issue~~Strongly encourages the Serbian authorities to step their efforts to combat corruption; calls on Serbia to step up the implementation of the national anti- corruption strategy and action plan, and calls for the establishment of an initial track record on investigations, prosecutions and convictions for high-level corruption; calls on Serbia to swiftly adopt a new law on the Anti-Corruption Agency in order to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies; urges Serbia to amend and implement the economic and corruption crimes section of the criminal code with a view to providing a credible and predictable criminal law framework;

Amendment 139 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, László TŐKÉS, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is concerned by the lack of progress in the fight against corruption and urges Serbia to show clear commitment in tackling this issue; calls on Serbia to step up the implementation of the national anti- corruption strategy and action plan, and calls for the establishment of an initial track record on investigations, prosecutions and convictions for high-level corruption; calls on Serbia to swiftly adopt a new law on the Anti-Corruption Agency in order to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies; urges Serbia to amend and implement the economic and corruption crimes section of the criminal code with a view to providing a credible and predictable criminal law framework; notes with concern the lack of transparency in the financing of political parties and election campaigns; stresses that the funding of political parties needs to be transparent and in accordance with the highest international standards; call Serbian political parties to fully cooperate with the State Audit Institution and Auditor-General;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)

- having regards to the address of ICTY President Carmel Agius to the United Nations Security Council in June 2016,

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is concerned by the lack of progress in the fight against corruption and urges Serbia to show clear political will and commitment in tackling this issue as well as limit the political influence over law enforcement agencies; regrets that corruption remains prevalent in many areas and continues to be a serious problem; calls on Serbia to step up the implementation of the national anti- corruption strategy and action plan, and calls for the establishment of an initial track record on investigations, prosecutions and convictions for high-level corruption; calls on Serbia to swiftly adopt a new law on the Anti-Corruption Agency in order to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies and ensure adequate capacity and resources of all key institutions fighting corruption; urges Serbia to amend and implement the economic and corruption crimes section of the criminal code with a view to providing a credible and predictable criminal law framework;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is concerned by the lack of progress in the fight against corruption and urges Serbia to show clear commitment in tackling this issue; calls on Serbia to step up the implementation of the national anti- corruption strategy and action plan, and calls for the establishment of an initial track record on investigations, prosecutions and convictions for high-level corruption; calls on Serbia to swiftly adopt a new law on the Anti-Corruption Agency in order to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies; urges Serbia to amend and implement the economic and corruption crimes section of the criminal code with a view to providing a credible and predictable criminal law framework; is concerned about repeated leaks to the media about on-going investigations; calls on Serbian authorities to seriously investigate several high-profile cases where evidence of alleged wrongdoing has been presented by journalists;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Is concerned by the lack of progress in the fight against corruption and~~Underlines that significant efforts are needed to enhance and fully enforce the legal framework for the fight against corruption and unfortunately is concerned by the lack of progress in in this regard; urges Serbia to show clear commitment in tackling this issue; calls on Serbia to step up the implementation of the national anti- corruption strategy and action plan, and calls for the establishment of an initial track record on investigations, prosecutions and convictions for high-level corruption; calls on Serbia to swiftly adopt a new law on the Anti-Corruption Agency in order to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies; urges Serbia to amend and implement the economic and corruption crimes section of the criminal code with a view to providing a credible and predictable criminal law framework;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is concerned by the lack of progress in the fight against corruption and urges Serbia to show clear commitment in tackling this issue; calls on Serbia to step up the implementation of the national anti- corruption strategy and action plan, and calls for the establishment of an initial track record on investigations, prosecutions and convictions for high-level corruption; ~~calls on~~urges Serbia to ~~swiftly adopt a new law on the Anti-Corruption Agency in order to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies;~~ amend and implement the economic and corruption crimes section of the criminal code with a view to providing a credible and predictable criminal law framework; welcomes the progress and encourages ~~Serbia to amend and implement the economic and corruption crimes section of the criminal code with a view to providing a credible and predictable criminal law framework~~the finalization of the Draft Law on the Anti-Corruption Agency and the implementation of activities on prevention and fight against corruption that have been envisaged through newly established EU Twinning project;

Amendment 144 #

Eduard KUKAN, Tanja FAJON, Franc BOGOVIČ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is concerned by the lack of progress in the fight against corruption and urges Serbia to show clear commitment in tackling this issue; calls on Serbia to step up the implementation of the national anti- corruption strategy and action plan, and calls for the establishment of an initial track record on investigations, prosecutions and convictions for high-level corruption; ~~calls on Serbia to swiftly adopt a new law on the Anti-Corruption Agency in order to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies~~welcomes the progress on the finalization of the Draft Law on the Anti-Corruption Agency and the activities on prevention and fight against corruption that have been envisaged through newly established EU Twinning project; urges Serbia to amend and implement the economic and corruption crimes section of the criminal code with a view to providing a credible and predictable criminal law framework;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Repeats its call for proper reform of the offense of abuse of office and abuse of responsible position, such as to prevent possible misuse; notes that neither of previous reforms have addressed these calls and that the new wording of offense of abuse of a responsible position (article 227) still leaves room for arbitrary interpretation; calls on responsible authorities to either abolish, or sufficiently define the offense of abuse of responsible position in order to prevent its possible misuse in private sector; calls once again on independent and through review of reclassified cases related to abuse of responsible positions so that long-standing unjust prosecutions can be dropped immediately;

Amendment 146 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI, Jozo RADOŠ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Notes that public enterprises remain particularly vulnerable to corruption; urges the further development of independent supervision for the detection of potential cases of conflicts of interest in the management of state-owned companies, in privatization procedures, public-private partnerships and in relation to strategic investment partnerships; stresses that the excessive recourse to the provision on abuse of office in the private sector in the criminal code is harmful to the business climate and hampers legal certainty;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’'s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; ~~has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution;~~

Amendment 148 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Csaba SÓGOR, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; ~~has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution;~~

Amendment 149 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; ~~has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for~~ calls for the implementation of the February 2016 law on the police, which provides for better separation of tasks between the police and the Ministry of Interior; urges the alignment with EU rules of the law on the confiscation of criminal assets, notably as regards their ~~swift resolution~~d-party confiscation, extended confiscation and precautionary freezing of assets;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 b (new)

- having regards to the Agreement on Normalization of Relations between the then-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, consisting of Serbia and Montenegro, and the Republic of Croatia, signed in 1996,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; ~~has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution~~urges Serbia to establish a secure platform to exchange intelligence between law enforcement agencies and ensure coherence between the new law on the organisation of the police and the criminal procedure code; has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution; welcomes Serbia's continued good international and regional cooperation in the fight against drugs but further efforts are needed in the fight against other areas of organized crime such as trafficking in human beings and money laundering;

Amendment 151 #

Lorenzo CESA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution; urges Serbia fully to implement the recommendations in the evaluation report on Serbia by the Council of Europe MONEYVAL group, in particular the FATF/GAFI recommendations on measures to combat terrorist financing and money laundering;

Amendment 152 #

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime and~~Notes the adoption of Serbia’s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); is concerned about the rise of mafia murders and lack of credible investigations; calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; ~~has taken note of the controversial~~strongly condemns events in Belgrade’s Savamala district ~~and calls for their swift resolu~~, deplores police' refusal to provide citizens with protection during that night and authorities' refusal to carry out thorough investigation, and disclose and punish the culprits; calls for swift resolution of the investigation;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; points also to the need to track down and prosecute criminal people-trafficking and people-smuggling networks and to improve protection and support for victims of people trafficking; has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes Serbia's active role in the fight against terrorism, and in international and regional police and judicial cooperation, and the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’'s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to further step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’'s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution;

Amendment 155 #

Eduard KUKAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; calls on authorities to address numerous cases of excessive use of power by police against citizens; has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution;

Amendment 156 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes Serbia's active role in police and judicial cooperation on international and regional level and the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; has taken note of the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district and calls for their swift resolution;

Amendment 157 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, László TŐKÉS, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the progress made in the fight against organised crime and the adoption of Serbia’s first national serious and organise crime threat assessment (SOCTA); calls on Serbia to step up efforts to investigate wider criminal networks, improve financial investigations and intelligence-led policing and develop a solid track record of final convictions; ~~has taken note of~~regrets the controversial events in Belgrade’s Savamala district which show a profound lack of rule of law in the country and calls for their swift resolution;

Amendment 158 #

David McALLISTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – subparagraph 1 (new)

10 a. Welcomes recent changes on the law on public property; stresses that transparent and non discriminatory implementation of both laws has to be ensured and that further measures should be taken to fully establish legal clarity over property rights;

Amendment 159 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Željana ZOVKO, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, László TŐKÉS, Ivica TOLIĆ, Ivana MALETIĆ, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Notes that the application of the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings violates the generally accepted principles of criminal and international law - the principle of legal certainty and the principle of non- intervention in the internal affairs of other states, and hinders the process of reconciliation in South Eastern Europe; calls on the Serbian authorities to immediately repeal the relevant articles and abandon a concept of quasi-universal jurisdiction for war crimes in neighbouring countries; in this regards, calls on the European Commission and Member States to invest additional efforts in addressing this issue in the process of EU-Serbia negotiations, particularly within the scope of Chapter 23;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 c (new)

- having regard to the European Parliament's resolution on Serbia: the case of accused war criminal Šešelj of 27 November 2014,

Amendment 160 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI, Jozo RADOŠ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Expresses concern over the failure of the authorities to bring to justice the organizers and perpetrators of the unlawful demolition of properties in the Belgrade Savamala district on 24 April 2016; underlines that the authorities must carry out thorough investigations and bring those responsible to justice;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Points out that corruption and organized crime are widespread in the region and also represent an obstacle to Serbia's democratic, social and economic development; considers that a regional strategy and enhanced cooperation between all the countries in the region are essential to tackle these issues more effectively;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10 b. Expresses its concern at the incidents that took place last April concerning the "Savamala" project with regard, in particular, to the demolition of private property by masked people; urges the competent authorities to fully cooperate with the ongoing judicial investigation and calls for the perpetrators to be brought to justice;

Amendment 163 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI, Jozo RADOŠ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10 b. Recalls that Serbia criminalised already in 2014 the activity of foreign fighters in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2178(2014); urges the adoption of the national strategy to prevent and fight terrorism finalised in March 2016;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament~~, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration; remains concerned~~; takes note about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; ~~stresse~~considers that the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary effectiveness; underlines that the parliament’s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’s code of conduct; ~~regret~~acknowledges that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament;

Amendment 165 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the continued initiatives by the Government Office for Cooperation with Civil Society aimed at improving cooperation between the state and the civil sector and at enhancing the legal, financial and institutional framework for the development of civil society; welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament in the area of EU negotiations, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations ~~wit~~through the National Convent on European Integration; stresses that further efforts are needed to ensure the systematic inclusion of civil society in policy dialogue; underlines, in this regard, that civil society should not be considered as a disturbing element of political and public life but as a tool to improve the standards of democratic governance; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary effectiveness; underlines that the parliament’s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’s code of conduct; regrets that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary effectiveness; underlines that the parliament’s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’s code of conduct; regrets that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament; stresses that the Head of EU Delegation should be able to present this report without undue obstacles and that this will also enable proper oversight on the accession process by the Serbian parliament;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that the frequent use of urgent procedures and last-minute changes to the parliamentary agenda undermines parliamentary effectiveness; underlines that the parliament’s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’s code of conduct; stresses, that clear rules and division of powers are essential to an efficient and democratic framework; regrets that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary effectiveness while does not always allow for sufficient stakeholders and wider public consultation; underlines that the parliament’s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for better coordination at all levels and immediathe adoption of parliament’s code of conduct; regrets that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the pParliament, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that, even though they have decreased, the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary effectiveness; underlines that the parliament’'s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’'s code of conduct; regrets that, due to ~~disruption,~~controversial events and disruption caused by the Serbian Radical Party, the Head of Mission of the EU Delegation to Serbia was not able to present the Commission’'s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas Serbia, like every country aspiring to EU membership, must be judged on its own merits in terms of fulfilling, implementing and complying with the same set of criteria and whereas the quality of and the dedication to the necessary reforms determines the timetable for accession;deleted

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration, especially as being important part of negotiation procedures; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary effectiveness; underlines that the parliament’'s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’'s code of conduct; regrets that, due to disruption, the Head of Mission of the EU Delegation to Serbia was not able to present the Commission’'s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament;

Amendment 171 #

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary effectiveness and the overall quality, inclusiveness and transparency of the law making process; underlines that the parliament’s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’s code of conduct; regrets that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines ~~parliamentary effectiveness~~the effectiveness and quality of parliamentary law-making work; underlines that the parliament’s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’s code of conduct; regrets that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament;

Amendment 173 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the measures taken to improve transparency and the consultation process within the parliament, including public hearings and regular meetings and consultations with the National Convent on European Integration; remains concerned about the extensive use of urgent procedures in adopting legislation; stresses that the frequent use of urgent procedures undermines parliamentary effectiveness; underlines that the parliament’s oversight of the executive needs to be strengthened; calls for the adoption of parliament’s code of conduct; ~~regrets~~notes with concern that, due to disruption, the EU Delegation was not able to present the Commission’s report in the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian Parliament;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes that the constitution needs to be revised so as to fully reflect the recommendations of the Venice Commission, notably with regard to the parliament’s role in judicial appointments, the control of political parties over the mandate of Members of Parliament, the independence of key institutions and the protection of fundamental rights;deleted

Amendment 175 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes that the constitution needs to be revised so as to fully reflect the recommendations of the Venice Commission, notably with regard to the parliament’s role in judicial appointments, ~~the control of political parties over the mandate of Members of Parliament,~~ the independence of key institutions and the protection of fundamental rights;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes that the constitution needs to be revised so as to fully reflect the recommendations of the Venice Commission, ~~notably~~including with regard to the parliament’s role in judicial appointments, the control of political parties over the mandate of Members of Parliament, the independence of key institutions and the protection of fundamental rights;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes that the constitution needs to be revised ~~so as to fully reflect~~in the spirit of the recommendations of the Venice Commission, notably with regard to the parliament’s role in judicial appointments, the control of political parties over the mandate of Members of Parliament, the independence of key institutions and the protection of fundamental rights;

Amendment 178 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Jozo RADOŠ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Calls on the authorities to ensure fair and free elections in April 2017 and, in this respect, to swiftly implement the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations following the elections in 2014 and 2016; is particularly concerned about smear campaigns against some opposition figures and presidential candidates, which have undermined democratic standards and procedures;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the adoption of the public financial management reform programme, e-government strategy, a strategy on regulatory reform and policy- making, new laws on general administrative procedures, public salaries and civil servants at provincial and local government level; notes that the implementation of the public administration reform action plan has been slow in some areas~~, and that no progress has been made in amending the legal framework for central government civil servants~~;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas Serbia, like every country aspiring to ~~EU membership~~a privileged partnership with the EU, must be judged on its own merits in terms of fulfilling, implementing and complying with the same set of criteria and whereas the quality of and the dedication to the necessary reforms determines the timetable ~~for accession~~;

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the adoption of the public financial management reform programme, e-government strategy, a strategy on regulatory reform and policy- making, new laws on general administrative procedures, public salaries and civil servants at provincial and local government level; calls on Serbia to enforce and amend the current civil service framework to guarantee the neutrality and continuity of the public administration and to ensure merit-based recruitment, promotion and dismissal procedures by eradicating exceptions and transitional arrangements in appointments; notes that the implementation of the public administration reform action plan has been slow in some areas, and that no progress has been made in amending the legal framework for central government civil servants;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the adoption of the public financial management reform programme, e-government strategy, a strategy on regulatory reform and policy- making, new laws on general administrative procedures, public salaries and civil servants at provincial and local government level; notes that the implementation of the public administration reform action plan has been slow in some areas, and that no progress has been made in amending the legal framework for central government civil servants; underlines that more effort is needed to further professionalize and depoliticize the administration and make recruitment and dismissal procedures more transparent;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies~~, including the Ombudsman, in ensuring~~ ; recalling the importance of respecting the soverseig~~ht and accountability of the executive;~~nty of Serbia and calls onfor the ~~authorities to provide the Ombudsman with full political and administrative support for his work~~suppression of the figure of the Ombudsman who as a non-elected political figure cannot interfere in the decision-making process of a sovereign state;

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies, in~~cluding the Ombudsman, in ensuring overs~~ ensuring respect for citizens' rights and the accountability o~~f the executive; calls on the authorities to provide the Ombudsman with full political and administrative support for his work~~bligation on public institutions; calls on the authorities to give them the administrative and budgetary support they need to do their work and to be impartial;

Amendment 184 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of all independent regulatory bodies, ~~including the Ombudsman,~~ in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to provide the ~~Ombudsman~~independent regulatory bodies with full political and administrative support for ~~his~~their work;

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of all independent regulatory bodies~~, including the Ombudsman,~~ in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; ~~calls on the authorities to provide the Ombudsman with full political and administrative support for his work~~stresses the necessary transparency and accountability of state institutions; calls on the authorities to protect the independence of and support the work of regulatory bodies such as the Ombudsman, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance, State Audit Institution, Anti- Corruption Agency and Anti-Corruption Council; stresses the need to ensure proper follow-up for the recommendations of all these regulatory bodies;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsman, in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to provide the Ombudsman with full political and administrative support for his work; state authorities, such as the Ombudsman, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance, State Audit Institution and others in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to protect the independence of these offices, fully cooperate with them when exercise their powers and provide them with full political and administrative support for their institutional work; stresses that their recommendations need to receive proper follow-up;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsmaperson, in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive and notes authorities' frequent disregard for its recommendations; calls on the authorities to provide the Ombudsmaperson with full political and administrative support for his work; calls on authorities to follow up on its recommendations on illegal data collection by the Military Intelligence Agency on political parties' activities;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsman, the State Audit Institution, the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Anti-Corruption Council, in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to provide the Ombudsman with full political and administrative support for his work; calls on the government to fully protect the independence of these offices and to ensure proper follow-up of their recommendations;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies~~, including the Ombudsman,~~ in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to provide ~~the Ombudsman~~all independent and regulatory bodies, such as the office of the Ombudsman, the Anti Corruption Agency, National Audit Authority, Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, and others, with full political and administrative support for ~~his~~their work;

Amendment 19 #

David McALLISTER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas Serbia's progress under rule of law chapters 23 and 24 and in the process of normalisation of relations with Kosovo under chapter 35 remains essential for the overall pace of the negotiating process, in line with the Negotiating Framework;

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

~~14.~~ Reiterates the importance of ~~14.~~ independent regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsman, the Anti Corruption Agency, the National Audit Authority, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, etc. in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to provide the ~~Ombudsman~~respective institutions with full political and administrative support for ~~his~~their work;

Amendment 191 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jozo RADOŠ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsman, in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to provide the Ombudsman with full political and administrative support for his work; notes with regret that the Ombudsman is constantly exposed to severe verbal attacks by leading government officials;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsman, in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to ~~provide the Ombudsman~~refrain from accusations addressed to the Ombudsman and to provide this body with full political and administrative support for hits work;

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsman, in ensuring oversight and accountability of the executive; calls on the authorities to provide the Ombudsman with full political and administrative support for his work and to refrain from unfounded political attacks;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the importance of independent regulatory bodies, including the Ombudsman, in ensuring ~~oversight and accountability of the executive~~cooperation with the executive so as to facilitate preparations for accession; calls on the authorities to provide the Ombudsman with full political and administrative support for his work;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Recognizes unfavourable demographic situation since Serbia is ranked among the countries with highest negative population growth rate ( -5.4 per 1000 inhabitants in 2015 ) while also facing massive brain drain, especially among youngsters; calls on the authorities to introduce the national programs focused on higher youth employment and take appropriate measures to stimulate birth rate;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Underlines the necessity of ensuring an accessible education system with a full and balanced curriculum including on the importance of human rights and anti-discrimination, work and training opportunities for young people and of promoting European study programmes, such as the ERASMUS programme;

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Stresses the need to further ensure systematic inclusion of civil society in policy dialogue, including in the accession process;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons;deleted

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is mostly in place; calls on authorities to adopt Law on the Protection of Rights and Liberties of Persons with Mental Disabilities, Law on Registered Same-Sex Civil Partnerships and Law on Gender Identity without delay; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, ~~including~~especially persons with disabilities, Roma people, persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons; expresses concern on the number of unprosecuted attacks on the members of vulnerable groups, especially Roma and LGBTI; expresses its concern about the discriminatory provisions in the draft Law on Rights of Civilian Victims of war which excludes a number of groups of victims of violence during the conflicts; calls on the authorities to urgently revise this key piece of legislation on transitional justice in consultation with human rights organisations and victims' associations;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5

— having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion of 22 July 2010 on the accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo, and to UN General Assembly Resolution 64/298 of 9 September 2010, which acknowledged the content of the ICJ opinion and welcomed the EU’s readiness to facilitate dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo,deleted

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. having regard to the undertaking by the Commission to put its enlargement process on hold;

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including Roma people, persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons; underlines, however, that discrimination and violence against LGBTI persons is still a matter of concern; calls on the authorities to ensure proper implementation of the adopted anti- discrimination legislation, especially the ones related to the hate crimes;

Amendment 201 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS ~~and~~; underlines the need for the Serbian authorities and all political parties and public figures to facilitate the emergence of a climate of tolerance and inclusion in Serbia, notably as regards LGBTI persons;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and ~~LGBTI persons~~those giving free expression to their diversity in different areas of their personal life;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons; welcomes the successful organization of three editions of Pride Parade;

Amendment 204 #

Alex MAYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons, migrants and asylum- seekers, and ethnic minorities;

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve LGBT human rights and the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with ~~disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI pers~~reduced mobility and persons with chronic health conditions;

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, ~~persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons~~but also Serbian refugees from Croatia, Kosovo and Bosnia;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including Roma, persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including Roma, persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons;

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, and persons with HIV/AIDS ~~and LGBTI persons~~;

Amendment 21 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Ildikó GÁLL-PELCZ, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Kinga GÁL, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, György HÖLVÉNYI, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas ~~Serbia has taken important steps towards the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, resulting in the First Agreement on the Principles of Normalisation of Rela~~Kosovo has received 114 diplomatic recognitions as an independent state, 110 out of 193 (57%) United Nations member states; while five EU member states have not yet recognized the unilateral independence of Kosovo; considers therefore the questions of ~~19 April 2013 and the August 2015 agreements~~Kosovo, as a state level competence of each member state;

Amendment 210 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, and persons with HIV/AIDS ~~and LGBTI persons~~;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. ~~Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made~~Calls on the European Institutions to improve the ~~situ~~ir accusations re~~garding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls~~lating to the issue of the press in Serbia; insists, as called for in point 9 onf the authorities to investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of mediaCharter of Munich, that only people who do not serve as propagandists should be termed journalists;

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists are~~main an~~ increased in regards to 2015 and are an urgent issue of concern; calls on the authorities to investigate, and develop a solid track record of final convictions, any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; c~~alls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media~~ondemns pro-government tabloid media which started publishing information clearly obtained from the Security Information Agency and other confidential sources (bank statements) in order to intensify smear campaign against independent investigative journalists and their media (KRIK, BIRN, CINS); calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership, privatisation of media outlets ended in a majority of cases with the representatives or 'sympathisers' of political parties becoming new media owners, and funding of media, as present state of play undermines media independence and is conducive to self- censorship; is concerned that most of the state-funded pro-government media turned into government's political tool used to influence public opinion and exert a political pressure on independent media's, journalists, CSOs and human right defenders through smear campaigns;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that political interference, threats, violence and intimidation against journalists including physical assaults, verbal and written threats and attacks on property remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; is concern that civil defamation lawsuits are disproportionately targeting critical media outlets and journalists; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media and encourages the government to guarantee the independence and the financial sustainability of both public service media organisations; recalls the need for a functioning Regulatory Body for Electronic Media;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; stresses that the government must refrain from hostile rhetoric towards critical and investigative media and must do everything in its power to defend the freedom of media and protect journalists; notes that self-censorship is a worsening phenomenon that journalists attribute to concerns about both harassment and economic pressures; calls on the authorities to investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to provide adequate resources for investigat~~e any~~ing all cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets, as often investigations are slow and do not lead to results; welcomes the signing of the Memorandum on cooperation and protection of journalists agreed between prosecutors, police and journalists and media outlets and looks forward to its implementation; calls also for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media;

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern~~; calls on the authorities to~~, including accusations against media by state representatives; calls on the authorities to refrain from attacking critical media outlets, to rather publicly stand up for media freedom and safety of journalists, to ensure proper implementation of the media legislation and more proactively investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media;

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media; expresses its concerns about the continuing discrimination of women at the labour market; calls for the implementation of the national strategy for gender equality 2016-2020 and a sustainable institutional set-up for promoting gender equality;

Amendment 218 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to fully investigate any cases of ~~attacks against journalists and media outle~~physical attacks, attacks on property and threats against journalists and media outlets; calls on the authorities to swiftly bring to justice those responsible for such actions and to ensure final judicial rulings on the unresolved cases of murdered journalists; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media and that the overall environment is not conductive to the full exercise of these rights; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to publicly condemn and investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls for the full implementation of media laws and for the completion of nominations for the regulatory Body for Electronic Media; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media;

Amendment 22 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

B. whereas Serbia has taken some important administrative steps towards the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, resulting in the First Agreement on the Principles of Normalisation of Relations of 19 April 2013 and the August 2015 agreements; remarks however, that recent events regarding the first train ride on the direct link between the Serbian capital, Belgrade, and Mitrovica, in northern Kosovo, since 2008, as well as the remarks by the Serbian President, have resulted in a politically precarious situation of military dynamics and which undermine other efforts taken towards a normalisation of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia;

Amendment 220 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media where the Serbian authorities hold crucial responsibility in actively contributing to the unimpeded exercise of freedom of expression; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media; as well as the viability of media in minority languages;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists and minority groups remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to investigate any cases of attacks against journalists ~~and~~, media outlets and minority groups; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media; calls for guaranteeing the financial viability of media content in minority languages and increasing the role of public broadcasters in this area;

Amendment 222 #

Lorenzo CESA

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media; expresses disquiet about the possible impact of court rulings concerning libel in the press;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists ~~remain an issue of concern;~~should be continuously combated; commends the signing of the Agreement between prosecutors, police and journalist and media associations and calls on the authorities to investigate anyll reported cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and of the media; stresses that political interference, threats, violence ~~and~~, intimidation and physical attacks against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets and bring perpetrators to justice; calls for the full implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media;

Amendment 225 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its concern that no progress has been made to improve the situation regarding freedom of expression and self-censorship of the media; stresses that threats, violence and intimidation against journalists remain an issue of concern; calls on the authorities to investigate any cases of attacks against journalists and media outlets; calls for the full immediate implementation of media laws; underlines the need for complete transparency in media ownership and funding of media;

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Notes that approximately 600.000 refugees and migrants, including vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, have so far travelled through Serbia on their way to Europe; deplores that asylum seekers, lacking legal channels of migration, face abuse, ill- treatment, discrimination and bribes by border policy, while crossing the Serbian border; notes that Serbian refugee camps are often overcrowded, leaving thousands on the streets in freezing conditions and lacking sufficient basic amenities such as blankets, food and medical supplies; calls on the European Commission to ensure that sufficient funds are available to (potential) candidate member states under IPAII funds, in particular when these states are dealing with large numbers of refugees and migrants within and on the border of their territories; urges Serbian authorities to ensure migrants and refugees applying for asylum in Serbia or traveling through Serbian territory are treated in accordance with international and EU law, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights;

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Calls on the government of Serbia and high ranking officials to stop smear campaigns and verbal attacks against critical journalists and media outlets, to unequivocally condemn all attacks against journalists and media outlets and make clear that violence and threats against journalists will not be tolerated and to take concrete steps to accelerate the work of the commission established to investigate the murder of prominent journalists and the trial against state security officials suspected of involvement; encourages the EU delegation and the embassies of the Member States to regularly attend and monitor trials against journalists and media professionals;

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Is concerned that Law on Advertising was adopted in 2015 without proper public consultation, abolishing important provisions such as the ones related to the prohibition of the advertising of public authorities and of political advertising outside the election campaign;

Amendment 229 #

Ivan JAKOVČIĆ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Deplores constructed requirement for the use of IPA funds that demands from CSOs to become partners with the state for its application to be successful;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Serbia has taken important steps towards the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, resulting in the First Agreement on the Principles of Normalisation of Relations of 19 April 2013 and the August 2015 agreements; whereas further steps are urgently needed in order to deal with, move forward and solve all pending issues between the two countries;

Amendment 230 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16 b. Condemns government's and government managed media's negative campaign towards CSOs; is concerned about governmental setting up of fictitious CSOs institutions in opposition to independent CSOs; finds unacceptable that partnership with the government is needed for successful application to IPA funds by CSO's;

Amendment 231 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. WUnderlines the importance of consistent legal framework on the rights of national minorities and the clarification of legal status and jurisdiction of national minority councils, hence commends the progress made in the drafting of the Law on rights and freedoms of national minorities and that a working group was appointed to draft the amendments of the Law on national councils of national minorities; welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; calls for the full and timely implementation of the action plan; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent and effective implementation of legislation on protection of minorities, including in relation to education, use of languages, adequate representation in judiciary and public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages; calls for the swift implementation of the new Law on police which enables a recruitment of citizens with dual- citizenship as a police officers, thus contributing to adequate representation of national minorities as well;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities which now needs to be made operational; calls for the full implementation of the action plan in a comprehensive, timely inclusive and transparent manner, with the constructive engagement of all sides; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on protection of minorities, including in relation to education, use of languages, adequate representation in public administration ~~and access to media and religious services in minority language~~, local and regional bodies, as well as in the national parliament and access to media and religious services in minority languages; calls for the effective application of Serbia's domestic and international obligations;

Amendment 233 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; welcomes the signing of the annex to the agreement guaranteeing to the Croatian national minority that they will have Croatian as an optional language and providing for the distribution of textbooks; calls for the annex to the agreement to be fully implemented; calls for the full implementation of the action plan; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on protection of minorities, including in relation to education, use of languages, representation in public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; calls for the full implementation of the action plan; still regrets the lack of statistics about religious minorities and calls Serbia to update its records in this regard as soon as possible; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on protection of minorities, including in relation to education, use of languages, representation in public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; calls for the full implementation of the action plan; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on protection of minorities and pay particular attention to non- discriminatory treatment of national minorities throughout the country, including in relation to education, use of languages, representation in public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages;

Amendment 236 #

Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; calls for the full implementation of the action plan and non-discriminate access to the fund; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on protection of minorities~~, including~~ throughout the entire territory, tackling regional differences, particularly in relation to education, use of languages, representation in public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages;

Amendment 237 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; calls for the full implementation of the action plan; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on protection of minorities across the entire territory, including in relation to education, use of languages, representation in public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages;

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; calls for the full implementation of the action plan and its annex; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on protection of minorities, including in relation to education, use of languages, representation in public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages;

Amendment 239 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Welcomes the adoption of new educational standards for the subject Serbian as non-mother tongue and calls the authorities to swiftly adopt a new curriculum accordingly, thus enabling national minorities to acquire the language of majority on the appropriate level helping their inclusion and participation in the Serbian society and public life;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Serbia has taken important steps towards the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, resulting in the First Agreement on the Principles of Normalisation of Relations of 19 April 2013 and the August 2015 agreements, but there is still lot to be done in this manner;

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Welcomes the finalization of the long delayed process of school textbooks translation into Bulgarian to make possible the education for the Bulgarian national minority in mother tongue; encourages the Serbian authorities to ensure the sustainability of this process by providing sufficient number of textbooks to adequately address the needs of pupils from the minority;

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Expresses disquiet at the lack of progress as regards respect for, and the protection of, national minorities, in particular the Croatian national minority;

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)

17 b. Is concerned by the lack of progress on the translation of internal school documentation (school diaries, student grade books, school registers, etc.) for the Bulgarian minority which is enshrined in law, but not followed in practice; calls Serbian authorities to approve the opening of the requested number of Bulgarian-taught classes by the respective schools of the minority;

Amendment 243 #

18. Notes that Vojvodina’s cultural diversity also contributes to Serbia’s identity; underlines that Vojvodina has maintained a high degree of protection for minorities and that the inter-ethnic situation has remained good; stresses that the autonomy of Vojvodina should not be weakened and that the law on Vojvodina’s resources should be adopted without further delay, as prescribed by the constitution;deleted

Amendment 244 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes that Vojvodina’s cultural diversity also contributes to Serbia’s identity; ~~underlines that Vojvodina has maintained a high degree of protection for minorities and that the inter-ethnic situation has remained good;~~ stresses that the autonomy of Vojvodina should not be weakened and that the law on Vojvodina’s resources should be adopted without further delay, as prescribed by the constitution;

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes that Vojvodina’'s cultural diversity also contributes to Serbia’'s identity; underlines that Vojvodina has maintained a high degree of protection for minorities and that the inter-ethnic situation has remained good; stresses that the ~~autonomy of Vojvodina should not be weakened and that the~~ law on Vojvodina’'s resources should be adopted without further delay, as prescribed by the constitution;

Amendment 246 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes that Vojvodina’'s ~~cultur~~multietnical, multicultural and multiconfessional diversity also contributes to Serbia’'s identity; underlines that Vojvodina has maintained a high degree of protection for minorities and that the inter-ethnic situation has remained good; stresses that the autonomy of Vojvodina should not be weakened and that the law on Vojvodina’'s resources should be adopted without further delay, as prescribed by the constitution; welcomes the achievement of Serbian city Novi Sad to became a first city among candidate countries selected to be the European capital of Culture in 2021;

Amendment 247 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes that Vojvodina’s cultural diversity also contributes to Serbia’s identity; underlines that Vojvodina has maintained a high degree of protection for minorities and that the inter-ethnic situation has remained good; stresses that the autonomy of Vojvodina should not be weakened, but only in so far as it poses no threat to the unity of the Serbian State, and that the law on Vojvodina’s resources should be adopted without further delay, as prescribed by the constitution;

Amendment 248 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Invites Serbian government to fully implement all international treaties concerning minority rights such as agreement with Republic of Croatia from 2005 on protection of rights of Croatian national minority in Serbia; calls on the authorities to protect existing media and programs in minority languages during the process of privatisation;

Amendment 249 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes the adoption of the new Roma social inclusion strategy 2016-2025, which covers education, health, housing and employment; calls for the full implementation of the new strategy for Roma inclusion;deleted

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Serbia has taken important steps towards the normalisation ~~of relation~~process with Kosovo*1a, resulting in the First Agreement on the Principles of Normalisation of Relations of 19 April 2013 and the August 2015 agreements; _________________ 1aThis designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence

Amendment 250 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Welcom~~Notes the adoption of the new Roma social inclusion strategy 2016-2025, which covers education, health, housing and employment; calls for the full and swift implementation of the new strategy for Roma inclusion, as they are the weakest, most marginalised and discriminated group in Serbia, urgent adoption of the action plan and an establishment of the body for coordination of implementation of the action plan; condemns demolishing of informal Roma settlements by the authorities, without notification or offering of alternative accommodation; is extremely concerned about the non-issuance of personal documents to Roma people, that restricts theirs fundamental rights; is of opinion that all mentioned leads to high percentage of asylum seekers in the EU from Roma people in Serbia;

Amendment 251 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes the adoption of the new Roma social inclusion strategy 2016-2025, which covers education, health, housing ~~and~~, employment, social protection, anti- discrimination and gender equality ; calls for the full implementation of the new strategy for Roma inclusion;

Amendment 252 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes the adoption of the new Roma social inclusion strategy 2016-2025, which covers education, health, housing ~~and~~, employment, social protection, anti- discrimination and gender equality; calls for the full implementation of the new strategy for Roma inclusion;

Amendment 253 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Welcom~~Acknowledges the adoption of the new Roma social inclusion strategy 2016- 2025, which covers education, health, housing and employment; calls for the full implementation of the new strategy for Roma inclusion;

Amendment 254 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Insists that after the war in Kosovo which ended in June 1999, 107 Orthodox buildings were completely destroyed or seriously damaged, reminds that the post riots only in March 2004 supposed the destruction of 34 Serbian Orthodox buildings in addition to the 392 Serbian Orthodox cemeteries which were completely destroyed regarding the OSCE; calls, in this regards, on the interested parties, to find a system for the promotion, protection and conservation of Serbian cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo, defining clearly the protection of the "Serbian Orthodox Church" proprieties and clearly specifying its historical identity by the Kosovar authorities; highlights that there were about 200 mosques in Kosovo after the war in 1999 and today there are around 800; reiterates that in late 2014, police closed 14 Arabic NGOs that suspected of having close ties with radical Islamic groups; underlines the seriousness of extremism and calls for a new approach by the international community;

Amendment 255 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Csaba SÓGOR, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Željana ZOVKO, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, László TŐKÉS, Ivica TOLIĆ, Ivana MALETIĆ, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Stresses that the progress in the field of ensuring rights of national minorities is not satisfactory and reiterates that the promotion and protection of human rights, including rights of national minorities is the basic precondition for joining the EU;

Amendment 256 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;deleted

Amendment 257 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Welcomes the fact that Serbia~~Is seriously concerned with recent rising tensions in the region and the deterioration of Serbia´s relations with its neighbors; insists that regional reconciliation and the European integration process are in the best political and economic interest of Serbia and its neighbors; calls in this respect on Serbia to remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; ~~has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly~~encourages Serbia to maintain its constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons; regrets the hostile rhetoric and controversial statements directed at Serbia´s neighbors coming from top government officials;

Amendment 258 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations~~Underlines the importance of improving bilateral issues in the accession process in accordance with othe~~r enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member Stat~~ negotiating framework, in a constructive and neighbourly spirit, taking account of the EU's overall interests and values; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo-Brijuni process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; ~~underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental eff~~calls on Serbia to promote good-neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes, which includes promoting a climate of tolerance and condemning all forms of hate speecth o~~n the accession process;~~r war-time rhetoric and refraining from gestures such as publicly welcomesing the ~~adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the f~~return of individuals convicted of war crimes; notes that outstanding disputes and issues, in particular issues of bormder War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperationdemarcation, succession, return of cultural goods and disclosure of Yugoslavian archives should be resolved in line with international law and established principles, including through implementation of legally binding agreements, inter alia the agreement on succession issues, and that bilateral disputes should be addressed in the early stages of the accession process in accordance with ~~the I~~international ~~Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue~~law; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect ofn the ~~fate of missing person~~accession process;

Amendment 259 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; h~~Has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; ~~underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process;~~ welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for ~~full~~ cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and for full respect for that institution as such; urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Serbia has taken ~~important~~several steps towards the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, resulting in the First Agreement on the Principles of Normalisation of Relations of 19 April 2013 and the August 2015 agreements;

Amendment 260 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; h~~Has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda~~; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for~~ , while respecting territorial integrity of its neighboring countries; calls on Serbia to fully implement bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries and to intensify solving outstanding issues withe i~~nvestigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of h~~ts neighbours, in particular issues of border demarcation, succession, return of cultural goods and disclosure of Yugoslavian archives; urges the authorities to continue working on the is su~~ccessor is a mat~~e of the fater of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persmissing persons from the wars in the 1990s; in the spirit of good neighborly relations, encourages Serbia to be constructively committed to the stability and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to actively support and constructively contribute to the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards EU accessions;

Amendment 261 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; h~~Has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown a~~n increasingly~~ constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda and the conclusion of 2016 Paris conference on Western Balkans and TEN-T regulation in order to ensure the implementation of planned transport network projects; underlines that resolution of outstanding bilateral disputes shwould ~~not~~ have a ~~detrimental~~positive effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 262 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes ~~the fact~~ that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; ~~has taken positive note of the fact~~calls on Serbia to implement the soft measures associated with the connectivity agenda ; took positive note that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the Berlin process, the Danube Strategy, the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity ~~agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity~~ agenda; underlines that ~~outstanding~~ bilateral disputes should not have a ~~detrimental~~n effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 263 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; regrets, however, recent statements by high-level officials that could jeopardize the good neighbourly relations; strongly condemns any form of hateful activity towards neighbouring countries such as conferences, seminars, TV shows and encourages the Serbian authorities to refrain from any direct or indirect sponsoring and supporting such activities; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational but should be solved as early as prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing personsible in the accession process;

Amendment 264 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Welcom~~Notes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; ~~underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process;~~ welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urgreminds that prosecutor Vukčević was succeeded by First Deputy Prosecutor Milan Petrović, who has been acting as Head of the War Crimes Prosecutor's Office since 01 January 2016 (legal grounds: Ruling P no. 50/14 of 20 October 2014; Act on Public Prosecution Services); invites the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 265 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Welcomes the fact~~Notes that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with ~~other~~some enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; ~~has taken~~took positive note ~~of the fact~~ that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; calls on Serbia to promote a climate of respect and tolerance and condemn all forms of hate speech, public approval and denial of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for ~~full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (~~effective investigation of high-profile war crimes cases and for improving regional cooperation in war crime cases; deplores the refusal of the Serbian authorities to act upon the ICTY court order for the arrest of three members of the Radical party issued in 2015 and calls for full cooperation with the ICTY); urges the authorities to ~~continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons~~step up their efforts on the issue of the fate of missing persons; reiterates its support for the initiative to establish the Regional commission for the establishment of facts about war crimes and other serious violations of human rights committed in the former Yugoslavia (RECOM) and urges the government of Serbia to take the lead on its establishment;

Amendment 266 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

~~20.~~ Welcomes the fact that Serbia ~~20.~~ remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; encourages Serbia to continue pro- active and positive engagement with its neighbours and the wider region; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for cooperation between the War Crimes Prosecutors' offices in the region in issues of mutual concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons; reiterates its support for the initiative to establish the Regional commission for the establishment of facts about war crimes and other serious violations of human rights committed in the former Yugoslavia (RECOM) and urges the government of Serbia to take the lead on its establishment;

Amendment 267 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; commends the role of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in promoting regional cooperation by taking a lead in setting up and developing the Western Balkan Chamber Investment Forum which plays important role in the framework of the Berlin Process and calls upon the Commission and other regional organizations to support the efforts of the Forum and facilitate its capacity building; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 268 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; calls on Serbia to promote a climate of tolerance and condemn all forms of hate speech, public approval and denial of crimes against humanity and war crimes through amendments of the Criminal Code; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges th~~e authorities to continue working on the issue of~~at further efforts are made and resources allocated in searching for missing persons; encourages Serbia to provide the victims and their fa~~te of missing persons~~milies with the right for reparations; urges the authorities to step up their efforts to continue working on this issue;

Amendment 269 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; stresses the importance of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office of the Western Balkans for the reconciliation in the region and for a better future of its youth and calls for all sides involved for their most serious commitment to it; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas bilateral issues should be addressed as early as possible in the accession process in accordance with the negotiating framework, in a constructive and neighbourly spirit, taking account of the EU's overall interests and values;

Amendment 270 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; welcomes the energy and transport infrastructure cooperation meeting of the Bulgarian, Romanian and Serbian Prime Ministers and supports the idea of a permanent format of the 'Craiova Group' meetings; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 271 #

Alex MAYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons, including through systematic excavations and investigations at sites suspected to contain mortal remains and by empowering witnesses to come forward;

Amendment 272 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other ~~enlargement~~ countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; ~~underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process;~~ welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 273 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; ~~calls for full~~deeply regrets the lack of cooperation of Serbia with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and reminds that this is Serbia's basic obligation within the process of accession negotiations; urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 274 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; regrets, however, that there is not enough political support for establishing criminal justice for war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 275 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the delayed appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for a necessary revision of the national strategy for an investigation and prosecution of war crimes and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy in line with generally accepted international standards and principles and rules of international law; noting with concern repeated reports of Serbia's non- cooperation with the ICTY; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) which remains essential; calls for handling war crimes without any discrimination, addressing impurity and insuring accountability and fully and unequivocally accepting and implementing the ICTY's ruling and decisions, as well as insuring proportionality of sentences and a sentencing policy in line with international criminal law standards;

Amendment 276 #

Andrey KOVATCHEV, Tunne KELAM, Milan ZVER, Franc BOGOVIČ, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Reiterates its call on the authorities to continue their efforts to eliminate the legacy of the former Communist secret services by making its files open to the public, as a step towards the democratisation of Serbia; calls on Serbia to intensify the process of succession and implementation of obligations relating to the division of the common archive of the former Yugoslavia; reiterates, in this connection, that full access to all archival materials, especially those of the former Yugoslav Secret Services (UDBA) and the Yugoslav People's Army Security Service (KOS) is of vital significance; reiterates its call to the authorities to facilitate access to those archives that concern the former republics of Yugoslavia and to return them to their respective governments if they so request;

Amendment 277 #

Alojz PETERLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Reiterates its call on the authorities to continue their efforts to eliminate the legacy of the former Communist secret services by making its files open to the public, as a step towards the democratisation of Serbia; calls on Serbia to intensify the process of succession and implementation of obligations relating to the division of the common archive of the former Yugoslavia; reiterates, in this connection, that full access to all archival materials, especially those of the former Yugoslav Secret Services (UDBA) and the Yugoslav People's Army Security Service (KOS) is of vital significance; reiterates its call to the authorities to facilitate access to those archives that concern the former republics of Yugoslavia and to return them to their respective governments if they so request;

Amendment 278 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; is concerned about scope, implications and implementation of the Law on Organization and Jurisdiction of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings and calls for its change; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY);

Amendment 279 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; regrets, however, recent actions aiming at rehabilitating war criminals; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas fighting organised crime and corruption in Serbia remains fundamental to countering criminal infiltration of the political, legal and economic systems and is one of the priorities in the EU accession process;

Amendment 280 #

Ulrike LUNACEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Regrets the decision of Serbia's president Tomislav Nikolic along with some ministers of Serbia to attend the official ceremony marking the National Day of the Republik Srpska; points out that the proclamation of this festivity was declared in breach of the Constitution of Bosnia-Herzegovina by the relevant court in Sarajevo; urges the Serbian authorities to refrain from acts that undermine the legitimacy and integrity of the Bosnian state;

Amendment 281 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Expresses its concern with the participation of various Serbian officials in the 9th of January celebrations of the Day of Republika Srpska, which have been held in defiance of Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitutional court decisions; stresses that both Serbia, as candidate country, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as potential candidate, should defend and promote the rule of law by their actions;

Amendment 282 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Calls on authorities to promote a climate of tolerance and to condemn all forms of hate speech, public approval and denial of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes through amendments of the Criminal Code; calls for effective investigation of high-profile war crimes cases; calls for improving regional cooperation in war crime cases;

Amendment 283 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Calls on Serbia to resolve the outstanding issues with neighbouring countries and Croatia in particular, including for example missing persons, seized art treasures, and the border issue;

Amendment 284 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20 b. Calls on Serbia to engage in meaningful regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations in handling of war crimes by avoiding conflicts of jurisdictions and ensuring that war crimes are prosecuted without any discrimination and ensuring that all outstanding issues in that regard be fully resolved, urges the authorities for strengthening efforts in finding and identifying missing persons and locating mass graves from the wars in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo as well as ensuring the right of victims' families to know the fate of their missing family members; to resolve the issue of the fate of missing persons, including through swift information sharing and opening of archives, as well as on preparing a reparation scheme for victims and their families as an important precondition for reconciliation; points out that a law on civilian victims should be adopted without any undue delay bearing in mind that the existing legislation does not recognise several groups of war crime victims; notes that controversies still occur, particularly in the context of different interpretations of recent history;

Amendment 285 #

Marietje SCHAAKE, Ivo VAJGL, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20 b. Calls on Serbia to intensify efforts to sign co-operation and good neighbourliness agreements with neighbouring countries and to step up on implementing the already existing ones; encourages the Serbian government to participate in joint government meetings with Hungary, Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria which will contribute to tackling any outstanding bilateral issues with neighbouring EU states;

Amendment 286 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20 b. Is concerned about the message being conveyed by forces within Serbia by means of a train, adorned with nationalist slogans, (religious) symbols and the words 'Kosovo is Serbia', sent from Serbia towards Kosovo; stresses that such actions are unconstructive and severely damage relations between Kosovo and Serbia;

Amendment 287 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20 b. Reiterates its support for the initiative to establish the Regional commission for the establishment of facts about war crimes and other serious violations of human rights committed in the former Yugoslavia (RECOM) and urges the government of Serbia to take the lead on its establishment;

Amendment 288 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20 b. Calls on enhancing cooperation with neighbouring states in border areas, in particular by developing transport and communication links that will improve cross-border relations, stimulate economic cooperation, and create incentives for direct investments in these areas;

Amendment 289 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Expresses concern at the failure to resolve outstanding issues with Croatia;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas process of privatisation of the media in Serbia has led to the concentration of the ownerships of the media, specially endangering media and programs in minority languages;

Amendment 290 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)

20 c. Reiterates its call on the Serbian authorities to initiate further measures for crossborder cooperation with the neighbouring EU Member States, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary and Romania, including through the Cross- border and Transnational Cooperation Programmes 2014-2020 and the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, in order to facilitate inter alia the economic development of border regions and areas populated by minorities; underlines, in this respect, the importance of opening a terminal for commercial trucks and goods at the border crossing at Ribarci- Oltomantsi and completion of the missing highway section of Corridor X between Nis and Sofia;

Amendment 291 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)

20 c. Condemns medaling of the high- profile war crimes suspect by the President of Serbia and greeting and praising the ICTY convict for crimes against humanity by government officials; condemns rehabilitation of WW2 war criminal Draža Mihajlović;

Amendment 292 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)

20 d. Condemns interference of President of Serbia in internal politics of BiH, especially undermining BiH's sovereignty and institutions by celebrating unconstitutionally proclaimed day of RS in BiH entity Republika Srpska, as well as supporting succession plans of leadership of RS;

Amendment 293 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)

20 d. Commends the opening of three new border-crossing points between Serbia and Romania as a positive development and recommends the opening of the three delayed border points with Bulgaria at Salash-Novo korito, Bankya-Petachinci and Treklyano- Bosilegrad;

Amendment 294 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Commends both Serbia and Albania for their continued commitment to improving bilateral relations and strengthening regional cooperation on the political and societal level, for example through the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), headquartered in Tirana; encourages both countries to continue their good cooperation in order to promote reconciliation in the region;deleted

Amendment 295 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Commends both Serbia and Albania for their continued commitment to improving bilateral relations and strengthening regional cooperation on the political and societal level, for example through the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), headquartered in Tirana; encourages both countries to continue their good cooperation in order to promote reconciliation in the region, while calling on Albania to rein in extremist political movements with overtly expansionist designs on Serbia;

Amendment 296 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Reiterates the crucial importance of reconciliation and resolution of the bilateral issues with neighbouring countries; in this sense calls on Serbia to intensify efforts in implementing all bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries, including the Agreement on Normalization of Relations between the then-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, consisting of Serbia and Montenegro, and the Republic of Croatia, signed in 1996; Urges Serbia to promote Bosnia and Herzegovina's territorial integrity and to condemn, openly and strongly, any separatist notions, particularly within the Republika Srpska;

Amendment 297 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes Serbia’s continued engagement in the normalisation process with Kosovo, and its commitment to the implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached and to determinedly continue the normalisation process; encourages Serbia and Kosovo to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;deleted

Amendment 298 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Welcomes~~Is extremely worried by the latest escalation of tensions between Belgrade and Pristina threatening a fragile equilibrium; calls on both parties to show restraint and do everything in their power to de-escalate tensions; calls on Serbia’s to continued engag~~ement~~ing in the normalisation process with Kosovo, and ~~its~~stay commit~~ment~~ted to the implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached and to determinedly continue the normalisation process;; encourages Serbia and Kosovo to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;

Amendment 299 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Welcomes~~Calls on Serbia’s to continue~~d engagement in~~ the normalisation process with Kosovo~~, and its commitment to the~~ through dialogue, cooperation and implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached and to determinedly continue the normalisation process and expresses concern with the delays in implementing Agreement on freedom of movement with respect to removal of the wall in Mitrovica; encourages Serbia and Kosovo to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

- having regard to the Helsinki Final Act,

Amendment 30 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Csaba SÓGOR, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Andrey KOVATCHEV, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas Serbia and Russia held joint military exercises on Serbian territory close to the Croatian border in August 2016;

Amendment 300 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes Serbia’s continued engagement in the normalisation process with Kosovo, and its commitment to the implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; reiterates ~~its call~~that progress in the Dialogue should be measured by its implementation on the ground; therefore, calls on both sides to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached and to determinedly continue the normalisation process; ~~encourages Serbia and Kosovo~~calls on continuous efforts by both governments and EU institutions to communicate and explain the provisions of reached agreements in order to bring ethnic Albanian and Serbian communities in Kosovo closer together; condemns the latest events, including warmongering statements and anti-EU rhetoric, that lead to the deterioration of mutual relations; calls on Serbia authorities to refrain from these and similar actions that have negative impact on the future relations of two countries; encourages Serbia and Kosovo, in the spirit of good neighborly relations, to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;

Amendment 301 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes Serbia’s continued engagement in the normalisation process with Kosovo, and its commitment to the implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached and to determinedly continue the normalisation process; calls for the establishment of the Association of Serbian Municipalities in line with the agreement reached under the EU- facilitated dialogue; underlines the need for both Belgrade and Pristina to refrain from any actions that might jeopardize progress achieved so far in this process; encourages Serbia and Kosovo to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;

Amendment 302 #

Tamás MESZERICS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes Serbia’'s continued engagement in the normalisation process with Kosovo, and its commitment to the implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; ~~reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached~~urges, at the same time, the Serbian authorities to refrain from provocations and acts aimed at destabilising the neighbouring state like the train from Belgrade to North Mitrovica painted with provocative slogans on 15 January; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation of all the already reached agreements in good faith and in a timely manner and to determinedly continue the normalisation process; encourages Serbia and Kosovo to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;

Amendment 303 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes Serbia’s continued engagement in the normalisation process with Kosovo, and its commitment to the implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached and to determinedly continue the normalisation process; greatly regrets recent aggressive public statements, however, and calls on all Serbian and Kosovar leaders to eschew such pointless and counter-productive excesses; encourages Serbia and Kosovo to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;

Amendment 304 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes Serbia’s continued engagement in the normalisation process with Kosovo, and its commitment to the implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached and to determinedly continue the normalisation process; urges the establishment of the Community of Serbian Municipalities; encourages Serbia and Kosovo to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;

Amendment 305 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes Serbia’'s continued engagement in ~~the normalisation process with Kosovo,~~Brussels Agreement and its commitment to the implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation~~, in good faith and in a timely manner,~~ of all the agreements already reached in good faith and in a timely manner and to determinedly continue the normalisation process; encourages ~~Serbia and Kosovo~~Belgrade and Pristina to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; urges for the establishment of the Community of Serbian Municipalities; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;

Amendment 306 #

Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Welcomes~~Calls for Serbia’s continued engagement in the normalisation process with Kosovo, and for its commitment to th~~e implementation of the agreements reached in the EU- facilitated dialogue~~at process; is concerned about possibly politically motivated arrests; reiterates its call to move forward with the full implementation, in good faith and in a timely manner, of all the agreements already reached and to determinedly continue the normalisation process; encourages Serbia and Kosovo to identify new areas of discussion for the dialogue, with the aim of improving the lives of people and comprehensively normalising relations; reiterates its call on the EEAS to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;

Amendment 307 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Marielle DE SARNEZ, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI, Jozo RADOŠ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Regrets the presence of the President of Serbia, along with other senior government officials, at the so called "Republika Srpska Day", a celebration which has been declared unconstitutional by BiH´s Supreme Court; calls on the Serbian authorities to support constitutional reforms in BiH in order to strengthen the country´s capacity to function and carry out EU accession talks; underlines that the unequivocal and principled condemnation of war crimes committed in the region is the cornerstone of regional stability and essential for EU integration; reiterates its call on government officials to refrain from gestures such as publicly endorsing individuals convicted for war crimes;

Amendment 308 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Welcomes the Serbian Authorities support of Montenegro in its investigation into the failed attacks planned for the day of Montenegro's elections in 2016; notes that the Serbian Authorities have arrested two suspects following the issuing of an arrest warrant by Montenegro; encourages the Serbian Authorities to continue to cooperate with Montenegro to arrange for the suspects extradition to Montenegro in accordance with the terms of the countries bilateral agreement on extradition;

Amendment 309 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Csaba SÓGOR, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Is concerned about the recent events regarding the first train ride on the direct link between the Serbian capital, Belgrade, and Mitrovica, in northern Kosovo, since 2008, and resulting tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, going as far as military threats; notes the remarks by Serbian authority figures, stating Kosovo to appertain to Serbia;

Amendment 31 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Ildikó GÁLL-PELCZ, Csaba SÓGOR, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Kinga GÁL, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Željana ZOVKO, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, László TŐKÉS, György HÖLVÉNYI, Ivica TOLIĆ, Ivana MALETIĆ, Andrey KOVATCHEV, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

C b. whereas the implementation of the legal framework on the protection of minorities needs to be fully ensured, notably in the areas of education, use of language, access to media and religious services in minority language, and adequate political representation of national minorities at local, regional and national levels;

Amendment 310 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. calls on Serbia to intensify efforts in implementing all bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries, including the Agreement on Normalization of Relations between the then-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, consisting of Serbia and Montenegro, and the Republic of Croatia, signed in 1996;

Amendment 311 #

Tanja FAJON, Pier Antonio PANZERI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Regrets, however, the recent tensions between Serbia and Kosovo and calls upon both sides to refrain from provocative steps and negative rhetoric;

Amendment 312 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI, Jozo RADOŠ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)

22 b. Notes that a non-authorized train, covered with Serbian political and religious symbols and launched by the director of Serbia´s 'Office for Kosovo and Metohija', was scheduled to travel from Belgrade to Kosovska Mitrovica on 14 January 2017 and was stopped by Kosovar authorities; expresses deep concern over this incident and over the inflammatory rhetoric of Serbia´s highest ranking politicians linked thereto; underlines that similar gestures cannot be justified by the upcoming elections in Serbia and can seriously jeopardize the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina; urges both the Serbian and Kosovar authorities to refrain from hostile actions and statements which could hamper the normalisation process;

Amendment 313 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)

22 b. Commends the role of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in promoting regional cooperation by taking a lead in setting up and developing the Western Balkan Chamber Investment Forum which plays important role in the framework of the Berlin Process; calls upon the Commission and other regional organizations such as Regional Cooperation Council and CEFTA to support the efforts of the Forum and facilitate its capacity building;

Amendment 314 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)

22 b. Strongly condemns the act of sending a Serbian nationalist train from Belgrade to Northern Kosovo; interprets this as an act of provocation and a step back in Serbia-Kosovo relations; calls on Serbian authorities to refrain from using the rhetorics resembling that of Milošević which includes using minorities in sovereign states as a tool for manipulation;

Amendment 315 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on Serbia to fully implement the connectivity reform measures in the energy sector; ~~encourages Serbia~~is concerned that Serbia installed parallel management at the Gazivode/Ujmani hydropower plant in Kosovo and continuous to interfere in its operation with a risk to water management; encourages Serbia to to fully unbundle Srbijagas and to take steps to develop competition in the gas ~~market and to take measures~~and electricity market and to improve alignment with the acquis in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy; calls on authorities to use additional EU funding of €50 million for developing the region's hydropower potential and energy efficiency in residential buildings in a transparent manner; commends Serbia for establishing the financing system for the environment via the Green Fund; notes with regret that there are no safeguards ensuring that the Fund's resources will be spent on environmental measures; calls on the authorities to improve the structure of the Fund so that appropriate safeguards are put in place;

Amendment 316 #

Ivan JAKOVČIĆ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on Serbia to fully implement the connectivity reform measures in the energy sector; encourages Serbia to develop competition in the gas market and to take measures to improve alignment with the acquis in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy; calls on authorities to use additional EU funding of €50 million for developing the region's hydropower potential and energy efficiency in residential buildings in a transparent manner; commends Serbia for establishing the financing system for the environment via the Green Fund; notes with regret that there are no safeguards ensuring that the Fund's resources will be spent on environmental measures; calls on the authorities to improve the structure of the Fund so that appropriate safeguards are put in place;

Amendment 317 #

David McALLISTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on Serbia to fully implement the connectivity reform measures in the energy sector; encourages Serbia to develop competition in the gas market and to take measures to improve alignment with the acquis in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy; stresses the need to develop Serbia's gas and electricity interconnections with its neighbours; encourages Serbia to speed up technical and budgetary preparations of the Bulgaria-Serbia gas interconnector, which will allow EU funding for this project;

Amendment 318 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on Serbia to fully implement the connectivity reform measures in the energy sector; encourages Serbia to develop competition in the gas market and to take measures to improve the alignment with the acquis in the fields of energy efficiency ~~and renewable energy~~, renewable energy and the fight against climate change; calls, in this respect, for the ratification of the Paris Climate agreement; urges the development of a hydropower strategy for the Western Balkans as a whole in line with EU environmental legislation;

Amendment 319 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on Serbia to fully implement the connectivity reform measures in the energy sector; encourages Serbia to develop competition in the gas market and to take measures to improve alignment with the acquis in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy; furthermore, calls on the Serbian authorities to adopt comprehensive countrywide climate policy and strategy in line with the targets of the European Union;

Amendment 32 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Željana ZOVKO, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Ivica TOLIĆ, Ivana MALETIĆ, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)

C c. whereas the application of Article 2 and Article 3 of the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings of Republic of Serbia represents violation of commonly accepted principles of international criminal law;

Amendment 320 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on Serbia to fully implement the connectivity reform measures in the energy sector; encourages Serbia to develop competition in the gas market and to take measures to improve alignment with the acquis in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy, and calls on Serbia to focus more strongly on green energy and to decrease the country's dependency on energy imports;

Amendment 321 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. ~~Call~~Invites on Serbia to fully implement the connectivity reform measures in the energy sector; encourages Serbia to develop competition in the gas market and to take measures to improve alignment with the acquis in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy;

Amendment 322 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls on Serbia to fully implement the connectivity ~~reform~~soft measures in the energy sector; encourages Serbia to develop competition in the gas market and to take measures to improve alignment with the acquis in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy;

Amendment 323 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23 a. Points out that Serbia has yet to adopt formally the Water Management Strategy and has not yet revised the Law on Waters and the National Danube River Basin Management Plan; stresses that these laws are of fundamental importance for further aligning with the EU acquis and for improving the implementation of the EU directives in the water sector;

Amendment 324 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23 a. Welcomes the preparatory work on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the gas interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria and recommends acceleration of the project in order to diversify Serbia's gas supply and energy independence;

Amendment 325 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, László TŐKÉS, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)

23 b. Expresses its concern at the reports from the Batut medical institute that have shown that since the NATO bombing in 1999 the number of leukaemia-related deaths and new diagnosis has sharply increased; urges the Commission to support further investigation and research on this problem and to explore the possibility to provide the Serbian authorities with the adequate technical and medical assistance to cope with this emergency situation;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)

C d. whereas since January 2016 Serbia refuses to extradite three wanted Serbian Radical Party members to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for trial on witness intimidation charges;

Amendment 34 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, László TŐKÉS, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)

C e. whereas the ICTY President Carmel Agius stressed that Serbia is violating cooperation agreements and undermining justice efforts by not arresting three Serbian Radical Party members accused of interfering with witnesses and expressed the view that this development is a grave step backwards in matters of cooperation with the Tribunal and an unacceptable disregard of the primacy of Tribunal law over the domestic law;

Amendment 35 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Recital C f (new)

C f. whereas in January 2017 of ex- Kosovo prime minister Ramush Haradinaj was arrested in France based on the international arrest warrant issued by Serbia for alleged war crimes on the territory of Kosovo, based on the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings that allows Serbia to assume the role of a „little Hague";

Amendment 36 #

Marijana PETIR, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Alberto CIRIO, Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Recital C g (new)

C g. whereas a Serbian train with inscription „Kosovo is Serbian" took off on January 14th from Belgrade to Northern Kosovo and was eventually stopped close to border with Kosovo;

Amendment 37 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law~~; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues),~~ as the progress in these chapters remains essential for the overall pace of the negotiationg process in line with the Negotiating Framework; as well as the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture); notes that the application of the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings (Article 2 and 3) violates the generally accepted principles of criminal and international law - the principle of legal certainty and the principle of non- intervention in the internal affairs of other states, and hinders the process of reconciliation in South Eastern Europe; calls on the Serbian authorities to immediately repeal the relevant articles and abandon a concept of quasi-universal jurisdiction for war crimes in neighbouring countries;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; ~~welcom~~further notes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture); regrets and underlines, that no progress was made to improve conditions for the full exercise of freedom of expression, which is of particular concern to the protection of minorities, which have not seen an improvement of oppressive actions by the government, as well as being a pre-condition for possible future accession;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; welcomes the signing of the annex to the agreement regulating the matter of textbooks for the Croatian national minority; calls on the Serbian Government to apply the annex consistently at the practical level; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture);

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)

- having regard to the Resolution 1244 of the Security Council of the United Nations,

Amendment 40 #

Ivo VAJGL, Hilde VAUTMANS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Javier NART, Norica NICOLAI, Jozo RADOŠ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture) and stresses its importance in the process of promoting European values among the young generation;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); following the adoption of Annex to the agreement on education rights of the minorities, calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture);

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), as well as the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture), but also all other negotiating chapters that have been technically prepared;

Amendment 43 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture) and all other negotiating chapters which have been technically prepared;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture) as well as opening those chapters that has been technically prepared;

Amendment 45 #

Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; ~~welcom~~notes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); ~~calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture);~~

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture); looks forward to the opening of additional chapters when possible;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Acknowledges the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research); calls on the Council to open Chapter 26 (Education and Culture);

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law; welcomes the opening of Chapters 32 (Financial Control) and 35 (Other Issues), the opening of negotiations on Chapter 5 (Public Procurement) and the opening and provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research)~~; calls on the Council~~ and the reached agreement to open Cchapter 26 (Education and Culture);

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population;deleted

Amendment 5 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Marietje SCHAAKE, Jasenko SELIMOVIC

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)

- having regard to the Lisbon Treaty and its Article 24/4,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population;deleted

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Welcom~~Notes the continued political engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population, without differentiation between minority groups, heritage and nationality; calls on Serbia to further integration and the proper implementation of human rights EU legislation, especially for minority groups in the Republic of Serbia;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population; notes improvement in dialogues and public consultations with all relevant stakeholders and civil societies for full transparency of the EU negotiations; invites Serbian authorities to refrain from anti-EU rhetoric, especially to cases connected to EU facilitated dialogue for the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina and chapter 35 negotiations; calls on Serbia to enable the EU Delegation and the Head of the EU Delegation unrestricted access to all state institutions, including the National Assembly;

Amendment 53 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population; calls on the European Commission and the Serbian government to take coordinated steps in order to intensify visibility of investments and funding from the EU budget so that increase the awareness of citizens of the EU funds directed to Serbia;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on ~~Serbia~~government to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population; is concerned about anti-EU messages towards public from members of ruling party and government directed media broadcasters, which steam anti-EU sentiments and are clearly populist instruments;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population; notes improvement in public consultations with relevant stakeholders and civil society, encourage to enhance further transparency in the process of accession negotiations;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; notes the improvement in dialogue and public consultations with relevant stakeholders and civil societies as well as their engagement in the euro-integration process; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations~~, which is a clear sign of determination and political will~~; calls on the Serbian Government to show determination and political will in the future by condemning incidents such as the one involving a Serbian envoy who let it be known, in Zagreb, that Serbia 'stands ready to defend [Serbs in Croatia] by all available means'; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EUuropean Union and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision ~~among~~in the Serbian popublic and to conduct this process in a transparent manner open to all stakeholders and in consultation with civil society organisations;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population; underlines the need for informed and constructive debates on the EU, its institutions and what EU membership entails;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6

~~— having regard to the declaration and recommendations adopted at the fifth EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting of 22- 23 September 2016,~~deleted

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations~~, which is a clear sign of determination and political will~~; calls on Serbia to actively promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population;

Amendment 61 #

Daniel CASPARY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to actively communicate and promote this strategic decision among the Serbian population;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the continued engagement of Serbia on the path of integration into the EU and its constructive and well-prepared approach to the negotiations, which is a clear sign of determination and political will; calls on Serbia to continue to actively promote this strategic decision ~~among~~in the Serbian p~~opulation~~ublic;

Amendment 63 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms and policies remains a key indicator of a successful integration process; calls on Serbia to supply Croatia with all available data on missing persons; calls on Serbia to return seized art treasures to Croatia, along with the Vukovar Hospital records; calls on Serbia to mark out the sites of wartime detention camps for Croatian civilians and defenders on Serbian territory; calls on Serbia to publish a map of minefields in Croatia; calls on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms and policies remains a key icondi~~cator of~~tion for a successful integration process; calls on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies; with the Action Plans and the interim benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24 guiding future reforms leading to a solid track record

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms and policies remains a key indicator of a successful integration process; calls on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies; commends the adoption of the Revised National Programme for the Adoption of Acquis (NPAA) on 17 November 2016;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms and policies remains a key indicator of a successful integration process; calls on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies and to undertake further efforts to ensure the systematic inclusion of civil society in policy dialogues;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms and policies remains a key indicator of a successful integration process; calls on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies, including on the proper functioning of cross-border transport, logistics and infrastructure links;

Amendment 68 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms and policies remains a key indicator of a successful integration process; commends the adoption of Revised National Programme for the Adoption of Aquis (NPAA); calls on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms and policies remains a key indicator of a successful integration process; calls on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies and to set up, in this respect, an adequate and efficient administrative capacity;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7

~~— having regard to the Report on Enterprise and Industry Policy adopted on 7 October 2016 by the EU Serbia Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee,~~deleted

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms ~~and policie~~, policies and taken commitments remains a key indicator of a successful integration process; calls on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that the thorough implementation of reforms and policies remains a key indicator of a successful ~~integration process; call~~development of the region; suggests on Serbia to improve the planning, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of new legislation and policies;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Notes delays in absorption of pre- accession aid, also due to inadequate institutional framework and lack of practical knowledge among the staff, especially at the local level; urges the authorities to seek for positive examples and best practices among the Member states; underlines the need to establish an effective and comprehensive institutional system on national, regional and local level, for the absorption of IPA and other available funds, which could also be the basis for future utilization of EU funds under the full EU membership;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Encourages Serbia to contribute on an ongoing basis to regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, stability, reconciliation and a climate conducive to addressing open bilateral issues;

Amendment 74 #

Louis MICHEL, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Welcom~~Acknowledges the progress made by Serbia in developing a functioning market economy and the improvement of the overall economic situation in the country; ~~stress~~notes that Serbia has made good progress in addressing some of its policy weaknesses, in particular with regard to the budget deficit; highlights that growth prospects have improved and domestic and external imbalances have been reduced; underlines that the restructuring of publicly owned enterprises has advanced; notes the paramount importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Serbia's economy;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the progress made by Serbia in developing a functioning market economy and the improvement of the overall economic situation in the country; stresses that Serbia has made good progress in addressing some of its policy weaknesses, in particular with regard to the budget deficit; highlights that growth prospects have improved and domestic and external imbalances have been reduced; underlines that the restructuring of publicly owned enterprises has advanced; notes the paramount importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Serbia's economy; notes that unemployment has fallen, but that nonetheless the large number of jobless young people remains disquieting; points therefore to the importance of acquiring skills and organising training more in keeping with labour market demand;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the progress made by Serbia in developing a functioning market economy and the improvement of the overall economic situation in the country; stresses that Serbia has made good progress in addressing some of its policy weaknesses, in particular with regard to the budget deficit; highlights that growth prospects have improved and domestic and external imbalances have been reduced; underlines that the restructuring of publicly owned enterprises has advanced, though insists on the importance of respecting the rights of workers and the significance of public sector employment to Serbian citizens and their wellbeing, as well as their reliance on essential public services; notes the paramount importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Serbia's economy;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the progress made by Serbia in developing a functioning market economy and the improvement of the overall economic situation in the country; stresses that Serbia has made good progress in addressing some of its policy weaknesses, in particular with regard to the budget deficit; highlights that growth prospects have improved and domestic and external imbalances have been reduced; underlines that the restructuring of publicly owned enterprises has advanced; notes the paramount importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Serbia's economy; regrets however, that no improvement has been seen on the Serbian policy regarding the status of minorities, nor promoting their economic inclusion;

Amendment 78 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the progress made by Serbia in developing a functioning market economy and the improvement of the overall economic situation in the country; stresses that Serbia has made good progress in addressing some of its policy weaknesses, in particular with regard to the budget deficit; highlights that growth prospects have improved and domestic and external imbalances have been reduced; ~~underlin~~in view of harmonization with aquis communautaire welcomes that the restructuring of publicly owned enterprises has advanced~~; notes the paramount importance of smal~~, particularly in the field of energy and railway transportation and underlines the importance of their professional man~~d medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Serbia's~~agement in order to make them more effective, competitive and economyic;

Amendment 79 #

Lorenzo CESA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the progress made by Serbia in developing a functioning market economy and the improvement of the overall economic situation in the country; stresses that Serbia has made good progress in addressing some of its policy weaknesses, in particular with regard to the budget deficit; highlights that growth prospects have improved and domestic and external imbalances have been reduced; underlines that the restructuring of publicly owned enterprises has advanced; notes the paramount importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Serbia's economy; calls on Serbia to further improve the business environment for the private sector;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9

~~— having regard to the Commission’s 2016 report on Serbia of 9 November 2016 (SWD(2016)0361),~~deleted

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the progress made by Serbia in developing a functioning market economy and the improvement of the overall economic situation in the country; stresses that Serbia has made good progress in addressing some of its policy weaknesses, in particular with regard to the budget deficit which is now below Maastricht criteria; highlights that growth prospects have improved and domestic and external imbalances have been reduced; underlines that the restructuring of publicly owned enterprises has advanced; notes the paramount importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Serbia's economy;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the progress made by Serbia in developing a functioning market economy and the improvement of the overall economic situation in the country; stresses that Serbia has made good progress in addressing some of its policy weaknesses, in particular with regard to the budget deficit, which is now below Maastricht criteria; highlights that growth prospects have improved and domestic and external imbalances ~~have been~~were reduced; underlines that the restructuring of publicly owned enterprises has advanced; notes the paramount importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Serbia's economy;

Amendment 82 #

Andor DELI, Andrea BOCSKOR, Csaba SÓGOR, András GYÜRK, Kinga GÁL, László TŐKÉS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Underlines the paramount role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for Serbia's economy; calls the Serbian government and the EU institutions to expand their funding opportunities for SMEs, especially in the field of IT and digital economy; commends its efforts concerning dual and vocational education in order to address youth unemployment and encourages it to promote entrepreneurship, particularly among young people;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Regrets that Serbia was not able to establish an agency for implementing the Instrument for Pre-Accession in Rural Development (IPARD) programme since due to the lack of staff the Department for Agrarian Payments could get access to all the funds available;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Welcomes~~Notes that the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 ~~which were assessed positively by the international observers~~were in general conducted in line with the law; calls on the authorities to fully address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 which were in general assessed positively by the international observers with the exception to noting biased media coverage, undue advantage taken by incumbent parties at official events during the electoral campaign, and a blurring of the distinction between state and party activities; calls on the authorities to fully address these problems and the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, in particular ensuring transparency of the campaign financing and the registration process;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 which were assessed positively by the international observers; calls on the authorities to fully address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, in particular biased media coverage, an undue advantage for incumbents and a blurring of the distinction between state and party activities; calls on the authority to properly investigate cases that arose elections and other campaign events which have been marked by violence and claims of intimidation and irregularities;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 which were assessed positively by the international observers; calls on the authorities to fully address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission; calls on Serbian authorities to improve conditions for election monitoring by local NGOs; notes lack of transparency in the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns; stresses that the funding of political parties needs to be transparent and in accordance with international standards;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 which were assessed positively by the international observers; calls on the authorities to fully address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission; particularly with regard to rules on candidate registration, measures against the misuse of administrative resources for campaigning, regulation of campaign finance, dispute resolution and voter lists displayed for public scrutiny;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 which were assessed positively by the international observers; calls on the authorities to fully address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, including regarding campaign financing and transparency of registration process; stresses the need to investigate properly claims of irregularities arising during the electoral process;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10

~~— having regard to the Commission’s assessment on the Economic Reform Programme of Serbia (2016-2018) (SWD(2016)0137),~~deleted

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 which were assessed positively by the international observers; calls on the authorities to fully address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission with regard, in particular, to the public display of voters' lists and the transparency of the financing of political parties and electoral campaigning;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 24 April 2016 which were assessed positively by the international observers; ~~call~~suggests on the authorities to ~~fully address~~take note of the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Notes with concern the lack of transparency in the financing of political parties and election campaigns; stresses that the funding of political parties needs to be transparent and in accordance with the highest international standards;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operationsthe European Institutions not to exploit the accession procedure in order to normalise the foreign policy of a candidate country;

Amendment 94 #

Ivana MALETIĆ, Željana ZOVKO, Ivica TOLIĆ, Marijana PETIR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; w~~Welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations; calls on the importance of respecting Serbia's policy on Russia but as well to have good relations between EU and Serbia;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia and recalls the importance of strategic communication and responsibility of addressing misinformation in this context, bearing in mind recent military exercise with Russia; calls on Serbia to clearly define its European path distance itself from the secessionist attitudes; stresses that Serbia, influenced by the Russian military, would not be able to finalize the agreement with the EU on chapter 31: foreign, security and defence policy; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on Serbia ~~to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and~~ , in line with what candidate status requires, to align foreign and security policy positions as far as possible with the EU's common positions, including on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in a number of EU CSDP missions and operations (EUTM Mali, EUTM Somalia, EU NAVFOR Atalanta and EUTM RCA) and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;

Amendment 97 #