European Parliament (EP) Member Vladimir Prebilič stated that all members of the upcoming EP mission are carefully monitoring the situation in Serbia. He emphasized that the critical comments surrounding the delegation’s visit to Belgrade are not aimed at the mission itself, but rather at the conclusions that will be presented to the European Parliament.
Prebilič stressed that the delegation, arriving on January 22, should be welcomed with bread and salt, not with hostility or attacks from media outlets like Informer and Pink.
He reminded that the EP, based on the Resolution on Serbia adopted by a large majority in late October 2025, called for the mission to visit Serbia, with the decision confirmed in early December.
“Serbian authorities have known since October about the EP’s intention to send a fact-finding mission. Once the decision was made, the relevant services promptly informed the Serbian government and the Serbian Mission to the EU through regular channels,” Prebilič said.
He added: “If the Serbian leadership is truly committed to EU accession, the EP delegation should be welcomed properly. Attacks or negative campaigns from certain media outlets are unacceptable.”
Prebilič said the mission aims to observe the real situation in Serbia without bias or filters. “We will meet with a wide range of stakeholders – political parties, both government and opposition, media, academia, students, and civil society – to assess the extent of the current crisis. Our goal is to help Serbian society navigate this crisis and prepare for fair and transparent elections whenever they take place,” he said.
On whether not meeting with the President or the Parliament leadership would affect the mission’s findings, Prebilič noted that the Serbian government has not confirmed meetings with the delegation, while in the Parliament, they are expected to meet with vice-presidents.
He concluded by stressing the importance of Serbia aligning with the EU: “Europe is not perfect and has its internal problems, but it remains the best place in the world to live. Geographically, historically, and culturally, Serbia has no alternative but to pursue its place in Europe – it is up to the ruling elite to understand this.”
