MEPs at the Foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament voting on the Commission's 2012 progress report on Serbia, they stressed that starting the talks in June 2013 is achievable.

Foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament highlights that EU accession talks with Serbia should start without delay, provided the government keeps the reform process on course. MEPs adopted the text on the European Commission's 2012 progress report on Serbia while they stressed that starting the talks in June 2013 is achievable. Serbia was granted EU candidate status on February 2012.

The resolution adopted underlines that reform of the judiciary should focus on quality rather than speed. The judges, prosecutors and police must be duly trained, not least because of extensive changes in the legislation and in order to step up the fight against corruption. It also stresses that authorities and the media must report responsibly on corruption investigations.

MEPs also highlighted that the authorities should also increase knowledge and understanding of LGBT rights in the country and combat homophobia. MEPs hope that the Belgrade Pride Parade, banned by the government in 2012, can take place in 2013. The Serbian authorities must do more to ensure that national, ethnic and cultural minorities are effectively protected throughout Serbia's territory, are fairly represented in public administration, judiciary and police and can have access to quality education in minority languages.