BRUSSELS/BELGRADE/PRISTINA – European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) is visiting Belgrade and Pristina from 27 February to 2 March to take stock of the political situation and assess the EU’s relations with Serbia and Kosovo.
A seven-MEP strong delegation, headed by Foreign Affairs Committee Chair and rapporteur for Serbia, David McAllister (EPP), will meet the political leadership in Belgrade and Pristina as well as national MPs, opposition and civil society representatives. The purpose of the visit is to assess the political situation on the ground and to take stock of Serbia’s and Kosovo’s current relations with the EU, including mutually agreed reforms and the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.
Ahead of the visit, McAllister said: “Next week, the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee is sending two delegations to the Western Balkans – these will likely be the last two missions of this committee this legislature. The Western Balkans are a priority for EU foreign policy. We need to support Serbia and Kosovo in building strong democratic institutions that uphold the rule of land allow for a thriving civil society. Above all, we need to achieve good neighbourly relations between all countries in the region, building on the recent success in North Macedonia. We attach great importance to the developments in Serbia and Kosovo and to their citizens’ aspirations, which is why we are coming to meet with both the political leaders and civil society in this crucial period“.
In addition to McAllister, the EP’s delegation will be composed of six MEPs: Elmar Brok (EPP), Neena Gill (S&D), Arne Lietz (S&D), Ryszard Czarnecki (ECR), EP rapporteur for Kosovo Igor Šoltes (Greens/EFA) and Jaromir Kohlicek (GUE).