Implement the Reforms from Chapters 23 and 24
The Coalition prEUgovor urges Serbian authorities to continue implementing reforms in the field of the rule of law, regardless of whether and when Chapters 23 and 24 of the EU accession negotiations will be opened. At the same time we appeal to the European Council and the member states to open these key chapters as soon as possible.
We are convinced that it is detrimental to all sides that the chapters dedicated to the judiciary and fundamental rights, and issues of justice, freedom and security are not yet open. The slowdown of the accession negotiations does not contribute to European integration of Serbia, but further weakens the implementation of reforms in the rule of law. It is essential to keep Serbia on its European path and the opening of Chapters 23 and 24 would increase the accountability of all institutions in Serbia and the EU involved in the accession process, which is a necessary step towards greater legal security for all citizens.
All the key activities of the action plans can be implemented only by the Serbian state authorities and therefore we urge all relevant institutions in Serbia to demonstrate commitment to European integration by further engaging in reforms in the rule of law, regardless of whether the negotiations on chapters 23 and 24 will be open tomorrow, for three months or never.
Members of the coalition prEUgovor are:
ASTRA – Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, Autonomous Women’s Center (AWC), Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), Center for Investigative Reporting in Serbia (CINS) , Center for Applied European Studies (CPES), Group 484 and Transparency Serbia (TS).
The prEUgovor is a coalition of seven CSOs formed with the aim to monitor the implementation of policies within the framework of the Serbian accession process to the EU, focusing on chapters 23 and 24. Mission of prEUgovor is to propose measures to improve the reforms, using the process of EU integration to achieve substantial progress in the further democratization of Serbia.