EU enlargement is an essential element in Serbia’s future development

Press release of MEP Lívia Járóka

MEP Lívia Járóka, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for the Western Balkan region, hosted today a lunch for the Serbian delegation of the 10th meeting of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee. The lunch served as the opening program of the Joint Committee meeting.

In her opening speech, Vice-President Járóka acknowledged the Serbian government’s commitment to accession and highlighted that the European Parliament has always paid special attention to our relations with Serbia – one of the frontrunner candidate countries. She ensured the delegation that the European Parliament continues to support the EU enlargement policy and expressed her belief that accession to the EU is the best way for Serbia’s future development and prosperity. In a politically tense period that Serbia is facing, MEP Járóka encouraged the parties to solve any disagreement by open negotiation.

At the end of her speech, she acknowledged that more marginalized Roma children are attending compulsory education in the Western Balkans than ever before. “However, when compared to their non-Roma neighbours, Roma people face twice as high unemployment, and are less likely to see a doctor when needed or there is a higher risk of starvation. I sincerely welcome the 2016-2025 strategy and action plan for the social inclusion of Roma in Serbia and I urge for setting clear targets and indicators to monitor the implementation of the new strategy,” said VP Járóka.

MEP Járóka Lívia is highly committed to the improvement of lives of Roma and their social and economic empowerment and inclusion. She is organising a conference on this issue next Wednesday at 1 PM in the premises of the EP in Brussels, including also the situation of Roma in the Western Balkans.