Serbia must ensure that its national minorities have free access to education

As a member of the EU, Serbia must ensure that its national minorities have free access to education, media and religious services in their own languages

Details of Serbia's accession to the European Union were discussed at yesterday's meeting of the AFET Committee. The Committee focused on the 2014 Progress Report.

Ramona Manescu spoke at length in support of an important amendment regarding national minorities based within Serbia.

She explained:

The European Union has, at its heart, a duty to support the rights of the people living within its borders.  Those rights are relevant to every member, old or new.  I am delighted that I succeeded in building a majority to support a vital amendment to protect national minorities within Serbia.  It is vital that every European has the right to live within a legal framework supporting their education, use of language and access to the media and religious services in their own language.

"There is, of course, a Romanian community within Serbia, which makes this a cause particularly close to my heart. However, I believe that this amendment sends out a positive message to all minorities living with the EU.

Romania is an enthusiastic supporter of Serbia’s accession, but it is vital that this brings stability to citizens of Europe. A sound management of minority relations is crucial, and I was disappointed at the level of left-wing opposition to this fundamental human right.

I will continue to use my position on the AFET Committee to speak-up for minorities across the EU."