The European Parliament Social Democrat group confirmed on Tuesday that European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi replied to the letter they sent him in April warning of the human rights situation in Serbia, Radio Free Europe reported.

The Social Democrat group’s media service did not disclose the content of the letter. RFE said that the MEPs are now waiting for the commissioner to reply to their latest letter which warned of the situation prior to the June 21 elections.  

Tanja Fajon MEP, head of the EP’s delegation for Serbia, said that she was concerned over the fact that the Serbian opposition was not consulted on the date of the elections. “We will know later if the elections will be free and fair and we are calling the authorities to do everything in their power to ensure conditions for democratic, free and fair elections,” she told the station.  

RFE was told by sources in Varhelyi’s office that the commissioner “has replied or will reply to the letters from the MEPs”. A written statement to RFE said that the important thing is for the voters and political players to fully trust the integrity of the election system and added that the elections have to be held in line with OSCE ODIHR recommendations.