Respecting Minority Rights – Interest, Not Just Duty of Serbia

Members of the European Parliament from Fidesz-KDNP have proposed a number of amendments to the Parliament’s draft resolution on the Serbia Country Report. According to Fidesz MEP Andor Deli, the amendments support the Serbian government’s efforts to join the European Union as soon as possible and address minority rights concerns. It is in Serbia’s and Hungary’s common interest that Serbia become part of the EU, benefiting both the Serbian majority and the Hungarian minority in Vojvodina. The amendments reflect Hungary’s commitment to Serbia’s European integration, MEP Deli stressed.
 
On minority issues, Deli said that the goal was to have the country report “put more emphasis on minority-related topics and the protection of minorities. We would like to see the powers of national councils maintained and strengthened as well as the necessary budget for their operations ensured. Also, regarding Serbia’s minority action plan, which is being drafted now, we expect a minority protection mechanism to be established, ensuring the efficient enforcement and accountability of laws in areas such as the right to use mother tongue or proportional employment at public institutions.”

“Serbia cannot make significant steps forward on the path of EU integration,” he added, “without sufficient attention and respect to the rights of minorities within its territory. Therefore this is not just a duty, but also in the interest of Serbia.”
 
Background: German MEP David McAllister of the EPP Group recently prepared the EP’s draft resolution to the Serbia Country Report, presented last year by the European Commission.The EP’s Foreign Affairs Committee is scheduled to vote on the proposed amendments in February, whereas the vote on the final text is due in March at the Strasbourg plenary.