According to Matjaz Nemec MEP, it appears that the majority of the demands voiced by the individuals participating in the protests on the streets align with the sentiments expressed in European Parliament resolutions. This realization serves as evidence that we share the same objectives and aspirations as the people of Serbia.
During a recent visit to Belgrade with his colleague Vladimir Bilcik, Nemec attended several meetings. When asked for his thoughts on the current situation in Serbia, Nemec politely stated that he believes changes are necessary.
“The positive thing is that everyone wants to change. The downside is that no one wants to change. The people on the streets are big changes. Politicians should listen to them. Much of what they demand, we have already said in the report of the European Parliament. In the resolution, we raised the main issue that the possible elections cannot close. These include media pluralism, the issue of the fifth frequency of national broadcasting, and the objectivity of the electronic media regulator. If this changes, maybe the policy in Serbia will also change. We would also like to see the rhetoric in Parliament changed. I saw that so far there is no one who would say: “People, let’s calm down, let’s agree,” said Nemec.
We find ourselves in a challenging predicament, not only in Serbia but also in the entire region. The events that transpired have deeply impacted society as a whole, leaving us all in shock. It is our duty to bring about necessary changes in our society and work towards reducing tensions,” expressed Nemec.
Considering the messages conveyed in the European Parliament resolutions regarding Serbia, which have been reiterated by Tanja Fajon and Vladimir Bilcik over the years, Nemec expressed his belief that the people of Serbia are now able to perceive that the European Union (EU) is supportive of their cause.
According to Nemec, it appears that people are recognizing the similarities between our message and their own on the streets. We are unable to bring about change in Serbia, but the people have the power to do so. We are deeply concerned about the situation and believe that crucial decisions must be made during these challenging times. It is noteworthy that European MEPs have not only engaged with politicians in Belgrade but also conveyed a powerful message to the people on the streets.
When questioned about whether he believes this message has reached the people, as there is no presence of the European Union flag at the protests, Nemec politely mentioned that he recently observed the topics they discussed with Serbian politicians being covered in Serbian media for the first time.
“The coalition is very strong in the media and in parliament. They should agree with the opposition’s priorities, which are not elections, social change is the priority,” he added.
Nemec expressed his desire to see Serbia become a part of the European family.
