Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

11.3.2020

The Commission closely monitors the overall situation of rule of law in Serbia in the framework of the country’s EU accession negotiations.

In particular, Serbia is required, within Chapter 23 ‘Judiciary and Fundamental Rights’ of the negotiations, to implement its legal framework on the rights of persons belonging to minorities as well as ‘The action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities’ in its entirety, contributing to the effective and equal implementation throughout its territory of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Particular emphasis is put on education, the use of minority languages, access to media and religious services in minority languages and adequate representation in the public administration.

The Commission will continue to monitor and report on developments in this area, including in the forthcoming annual report on Serbia.