Bilcik on EP Resolution: “The ball is in the hands of Serbian institutions”

“The Resolution is calling for an investigation, that’s the key point,” he said, stressing that now the “ball is in the hands of the Serbian institutions.”

“The final text is a compromise. I am happy that most of the EPP text is in the text. I am also pleased that some of the extreme formulations which were proposed by some other political groups have been polished. In a way I think we are sending a clear message, a critical message, but also a constructive message to the extent that I think those critical remarks in the Resolution should be seen as a blueprint for what Serbia needs to do next,” Bilcik told N1.

“The only thorough investigation of what happened in the elections can be done properly, thoroughly in line with the legal and electoral framework by the institutions in Serbia. At the same time we are saying in the Resolution that we should use all the channels which can help the investigation, including channels of the international experts, legal experts, communication with the relevant institutions, OSCE, ODIHR, the European Union (EU),” Bilcik explained.

He said the European Union wants to be engaged, but that “the engagement also depends on the openness and the willingness of Serbia’s institutions to not only accept that engagement but also to make sure that that engagement leads to good results.”

“I think the Serbian institutions must do the utmost,” Bilcik said.

Asked what the next steps are now that the EP Resolution on Serbia’s elections has been adopted, Bilcik said the ball is in the hands of the Serbian institutions.

Asked for a comment on Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic’s statement that the Resolution is “gossip,” Bilcik said he does not wish to comment on it because it is an insult.

“I have been attacked by politicians in Serbia personally in a very, very nasty way. I have received death threats, a number of nasty messages, but I don’t have an issue to say what I think and I’m not going to be a part of this game. I’m not going to respond to accusations, words, comments which don’t have to do with substance. If the politicians in Serbia want to play their domestic games, let them play those domestic games. Let us not engage in those domestic games. The moment anybody attacks the institutions here, people in this house ask: do they really want to work with us. If you attack several MEPs, of course the others notice, it’s an attack against the whole institution, it’s an attack against the European Union,” explained Bilcik.

He said “there are lots of problems in Serbia.”

“Serbia can be an EU member state, but this can only happen if Serbia works towards it. We all know what needs to be done – domestic reforms, including improvement in the electoral framework, secondly, the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and thirdly, foreign policy alignment when it comes to Russia, Iran, China,” said Bilcik.

If these things don’t improve, it is going to be difficult for Serbia to move forward.

“If we are factually critical, take it as a factual criticism, let’s work on it, nobody’s perfect. Serbia wants to joint the EU, but it has to change so it can be part of this club,” said Bilcik.