Index – Foreign Affairs – The EP accuses Hungary of helping Russia achieve its goals
The MEPs condemned all hateful rhetoric and disruptive actions against Bosnia and Herzegovina, including withdrawing from state institutions and paralyzing the functioning of institutions.
The EP requested that all state institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina continue the reforms related to each accession in the field of the rule of law. They called it important that the country hold the elections this year as planned and implement its results.
They regretted the lack of political will to resolve the deadlock in the negotiations on constitutional and electoral reform and to implement the reforms before this year’s elections. The representatives warned the country that there is no place for any inequality, discrimination or bias in the electoral system.
The Hungarian Commissioner’s behavior was criticized
In relation to Bosnia-Herzegovina, the EP found the statements of the association responsible for neighborhood policy and enlargement of Várhelyi Olivér, the Serbian entity, to be worrisome, and therefore asked the European Commission to evaluate the recent actions of the Hungarian Commissioner based on the code of conduct for representatives.
In connection with Kosovo, the representatives recognized political stability and Pristina’s commitment to the European path. They called for an end to the visa requirement still in place for Kosovo.
The EP representatives called on Serbia to return to EU integration. They noted with regret that the lack of progress in Europe, because “regress is possible in some areas that are extremely important from the point of view of the experience of the individual member states”. Progress is still expected on the rule of law, fundamental rights, freedom of expression, strengthening media diversity and normalizing relations with Kosovo.
They fear Russian and Chinese interference
The EP found the increasing Russian and Chinese interference and disinformation in the Western Balkan countries approaching the Union to be worrying, as well as the fact that
Serbia and Hungary help Russia and China achieve their geopolitical goals in the Western Balkans.
The European Parliament group of Fidesz stated that the European Parliament should not block the accession of the countries of the Western Balkans to the EU. It was announced that its representatives voted against the adoption of all three country reports because, instead of encouraging enlargement, they hinder progress for the states awaiting accession.
Missed opportunities
“The EU integration of the Western Balkans is a story of missed opportunities,” pointed out Balázs Hidvéghi, Fidesz EP representative. The leaders of the EU are only trying to educate them in order to have a constructive dialogue with the leaders of the western countries, said the representative. Andor Deli, who is also from Fidesz, emphasized that the report should be about how the European Parliament helps the country to become a member of the Union as soon as possible.
Instead, however, it instructs, prescribes and contains unacceptable exaggerations that only further hamper the country’s accession process. By questioning the credibility of the EU, they alienate the citizens of Serbia, which is against the strategic interests of Serbia and the EU
said the representative. He added that the Hungarian government and the pro-government MEPs are in favor of Serbia joining the EU, and they are convinced that Serbia deserves more support and understanding. Kinga Gál emphasized that the stability of the Western Balkans is a key issue for the Union.
He called it absurd that Hungary appears in all three country reports as a country that, together with Serbia, enables the realization of the geopolitical goals of Russia and China in the region.
“Furthermore, the baseless criticism of Olivér Várhelyi, the commissioner responsible for the expansion, and the accusation that he is biased in the case of Serbia are also unacceptable. We reject these claims,” added Kinga Gál.