German envoy to N1: Media freedom and NGOs crucial for democracy in Serbia

N1

The German ambassador to Serbia, Thomas Scheib, told N1 on Wednesday his country said media freedom and the NGO sector were the essential pre-condition for democracy and that media freedom meant undisturbed work of journalists.

„However, some campaigns (against independent media and NGOs) have been launched, and that concerns us,“ the ambassador said.

Scheib added that the European Commission (EC) report on Serbia was unambiguous and showed expectations to where the shortcomings that needed an improvement were.

He said Serbia’s Government promises to work on reforms and that he was in almost daily dialogue with the country’s authorities, encouraging them to continue along that road.

„Serbia is half-way to the European Union. We hope for more dynamic this year. It’s important to start reforms in the rule of law and democratisation,“ Scheib said.

He added that by mid or end of 2021, the EU member states would debate the situation and decide what would be next.
„I can encourage the Government to continue with reforms. It’s important to implement the new methodology, and I’m glad Serbia accepted it,“ the ambassador said.

He added the new methodology aimed at making the negotiations more efficient.

„The essence won’t change – the implementation of reforms, primarily in the rule of all law,“ Scheib said, adding the process of improving the political process management between Serbia and the EU was underway.