Bilčik to N1: Serbia needs to ride two-seat bicycle with Europe

 He added he believed that would be "the message to all our partners. I understand that the situation is not easy, also because of the pandemic, but Serbia has made a clear strategic choice. It wants to join the EU. The Government says it is committed to a European perspective. We need to find ways how to encourage that effort form Brussels, but we also expect exact steps by the Government and by the Parliament."

"We need to work in tandem, like a bicycle. When you have a bicycle with two seats and four pedals, the politicians in Serbia and EU institutions have to, on the big issues, really pedal in the same way," Bilčík said.

He added the reforms with such a large majority in Serbia's Parliament should be taken as an opportunity for changing the country for the better.

Speaking about a new interparty dialogue with Serbia's deputy, he and other MEPs were supposed to facilitate, Bilčík said they were ready to take part directly.

"It is difficult and hard work, you need to listen, you need to exchange views, you need to compromise, this is the way we do politics in EU, and that is the way we expect that politics to be carried out by our partners in Western Balkans, the Rapporteur said.

"I am calling clearly in my report for improvements of conditions for political competitions while ahead of elections which we understand are scheduled for 2022," he added.
According to Bilčík, the next two or three months would be a test "in terms of how the Government proceeds."

He said the Government had from now to March and that "it will be extremely important what happens on the ground and then perhaps we can revisit this question," referring to the possibility of opening new chapters in Belgarde's accession talks with Brussels.

The EU did not open any chapter with Serbia in 2020, citing the lack of reforms in the rule of law and declining democracy in the country.

"And I am crossing my fingers, and we are ready and stand ready to help and get engaged on the ground in any way we can be helpful, and we can help facilitate those important changes. As I say, we are ready to fight for the European future of Serbia here in the EU Parliament. That was a clear message... I highlight in my report also in important ways the growing geopolitical competition, and that is why I am saying when you look what China and Russia are doing on the ground, it is a lot less then what the EU is doing, and I would expect that the fact EU is a decisive actor, politically for the future of the country, economically and financially, but also in this pandemic, is something which is clearly and well noted publically and by the Serbian public," Bilčík said.

"This is something which we need, and I am also using this opportunity to talk to you, to Serbia media, to pass that message because I think that is an important message. I don't see any other alternative for Serbia but the European alternative. But it will require work by all of us and of course require work by the new leadership in Belgrade, and I stand ready to work with them to make sure there is a progress in next year and that there is meaningful progress also on the workings of the democratic institutions and political competition in the run-up to the next elections which are scheduled for 2022," he added.

Asked about the insults on independent media in Serbia by MPs in the Parliament, Bilčík said he carefully followed the reports "concerning the standing of journalists, the standing of the media."

He added the issue was in the report he presented to the EU Parliament, "but also our work on this issue will be as engaging as so far in the future as well. "

Here is the full interview.