BELGRADE – The rule of law problem exists in all EU countries, but this is particularly made clear when a country is to join the EU, says Slovenian MEP Franc Bogovič, who is also vice-chairman of the Friends of Serbia group in the EP, in a comment on the EU’s position that Serbia is not working enough on implementing the action plan for Chapter 23.
“We also often speak of Poland, Hungary and Malta in this negative sense and, as regards EU candidate countries, the focus of criticism is on insufficient resolve in the fight against crime and corruption,” Bogovič told Radio Free Europe ahead of a December 20 visit to Belgrade.
“It stifles society because if there is no real open market, there is no good economy either. Besides, things must be going in the right direction also when it comes to media rights and freedoms, as well as an independent judiciary,” he said.