A delegation of members of the European Parliament is meeting Serbian government and opposition representatives in Belgrade this week as part of a fact-finding visit to discuss the country’s progress toward European Union accession, local media reported on Friday.
The delegation from the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a series of talks on Friday with the parliament’s vice-president, members of opposition parties, and representatives of the governing majority, according to local news outlets. They are also scheduled to meet civil society, media, and academic groups during their visit, which runs through Jan. 24.
The visit comes amid strained ties between Belgrade and some EU institutions. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and other senior officials have publicly criticised the mission, saying it was not coordinated with the government, even as the delegation presses on with planned meetings.
European Parliament missions typically aim to gather information on political developments and rule-of-law issues in candidate and partner countries, and their findings can influence future relations between the EU and Serbia.
At the conclusion of the visit, the delegation is expected to hold a news conference and prepare a report for European Parliament members.