May 29 (SeeNews) - Serbia needs to urgently create more space for genuine cross-party debate and forge a broad pro-European consensus, in order to meet the political criteria for accession into the European Union, the European Commission said on Wednesday.
"Several opposition parties have announced their intention to boycott parliamentary elections unless demands for free and fair elections are met. Serbia needs to fully address all recommendations on the elections, identified by international observers, as a matter of priority," the Commission said in a statement on its annual assessment and recommendations for the Western Balkans and Turkey.
The legislative and institutional framework for upholding fundamental rights is broadly in place, but no progress was made on freedom of expression, the Commission said. "This lack of progress is now a matter of serious concern. A new media strategy was drafted in a transparent and inclusive manner; it needs to be adopted and implemented. Serbia needs to step up measures to protect the rights of persons facing discrimination, including LGBTI persons, persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable individuals."
Serbia made some progress in the area of public administration reform with the adoption of several new laws but a coordinated monitoring and reporting system of the public administration reform strategy and public financial management reform programme is yet to be established, the EC said.
The country has achieved some level of preparation in the judicial system reform and the fight against corruption. However, the scope for political influence on the judiciary remains of concern, while law enforcement and judicial authorities still need to establish a credible track record of operationally independent prosecutions and of finalised high-level corruption cases.
Serbia is moderately prepared in developing a functioning market economy and cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union. However, the quality, equity and relevance of education and training does not fully meet labour market needs. Investment increased but remains insufficient, after years of underinvestment, to address infrastructure gaps, the Commission noted.
Regarding the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, Serbia has remained engaged in the dialogue and showed restraint in its response to the introduction of the customs tariffs, but needs to make substantial efforts, in particular in its international relations, to establish a conducive environment to the conclusion of a legally binding agreement with Pristina.
"Such an agreement is urgent and crucial so that Serbia and Kosovo can advance on their respective European paths."
Serbia has continued to work towards aligning its legislation with the EU acquis, but needs to address, as a matter of priority, issues of non-compliance with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), regarding in particular state aid control, fiscal discrimination on imported spirits, and restriction to competition in the card-based payment system.
Since the opening of accession negotiations with Serbia in January 2014, 16 out of 35 chapters of EU body of law have been opened, two of which were provisionally closed. Four chapters were opened during the reporting period from March 2018 to March 2019.