Picula: future elections will be a criterion for Brussels
European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia Tonino Picula told N1 that the preparation, conduct, and aftermath of future elections will be an important criterion in assessing Brussels' relations with Belgrade. He also linked the lack of progress to a low likelihood of opening Cluster 3; this is an MEP's assessment, not a new EU institutional decision.
What matters
Assessment criterion
Picula singled out election preparation, voting, and the post-election period as important for the future EU-Serbia dynamic.
Cluster 3
In Picula's view, after five years without progress, Serbia is unlikely to open Cluster 3.
REM and ODIHR
Picula cited REM's incomplete functionality as one indicator of meeting ODIHR requirements.
Breakdown by publication
How sources frame this story
Mobile shows the first 1; the full breakdown is available on desktop.
N1: Picula calls future elections a criterion for Brussels
N1 carried an interview with Tonino Picula: he considers the preparation, conduct, and aftermath of future elections key to the future EU-Serbia dynamic. Picula also said that, in his view, Serbia has made no progress on its European path for five years and is unlikely to open Cluster 3; he noted REM's incomplete functionality in the context of ODIHR requirements.
Overall takeaway
Picula links the future assessment of Brussels-Belgrade relations to the election cycle and the continuing dispute over meeting EU conditions; this is the European Parliament rapporteur's position.