At the working group of the S&D group of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of the European Parliament on 22.10.2024 in Strasbourg, MEP Tonino Picula was appointed to three important positions, the most prominent of which is the position of rapporteur for Serbia. Over the next five years, MEP Picula will be responsible for analyzing, monitoring, and reporting to the bodies of the European Union on the situation in Serbia and its alignment with European legal acquis, fundamental values, and specific policies.
This is a duty in which MEP Picula will, on behalf of the European Parliament, cover all issues related to the relationship between the European Union and Serbia in this mandate, and will also represent the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament in those relations.
“Following the extensive experience I have gained and my knowledge of the situation in the Western Balkans as well as EU enlargement policy, I see this appointment as recognition of my previous work. This new role represents continuity of numerous activities, especially during my previous mandate. As always, I welcome and support the fact that the enlargement policy is back in the EU's focus. There is already greater political support than before, but the accession process still needs to be based on meeting the criteria! Each country should be assessed individually based on its results.” - emphasizes representative Picula
Tonino Picula has been the leader of the Working Group for the Western Balkans in previous mandates, the rapporteur for the USA and Montenegro, the negotiator of resolutions on the Russian war against Ukraine, as well as the shadow rapporteur for North Macedonia. He was the EP rapporteur for the new enlargement strategy, but also the EP co-rapporteur for the pre-accession financial assistance instrument IPA III and for the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
One of the main challenges for Serbia will certainly be, in addition to harmonizing with the legal acquis and values of the EU, harmonizing with the current Brussels policy towards the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Regarding the situation in Serbia, MEP Picula will prepare reports on behalf of the EP once a year after the presentation of the annual reports of the European Commission.
