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The European Parliament has called on Serbia to impose sanctions on Moscow over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and to make clear its position on whether or not it wants to join the EU, according to a document seen by Serbian public television RTS.

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Along with previous recommendations on the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Pristina, the report on Serbia says coherence with EU foreign policy, including sanctions against Russia, will determine the future direction of accession talks.

The text, adopted by leading political groups in the EP, emphasizes the need for Serbia to align with the EU's position on the war in Ukraine, the rule of law, the fight against corruption and media freedom.

MEPs say they support Serbia's EU membership, but it depends on the political will of the Serbian authorities and their willingness to carry out "irreversible reforms", especially in the area of ​​the rule of law. 

We urge that the new negotiating chapters be opened only when Serbia takes the necessary measures in this regard, including in the area of ​​the rule of law, the document said.

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With regard to Russia, urgent sanctions are being called for, expressing concern that Serbia is one of the few countries in Europe that has not aligned its position with that of the EU.

The EP regrets in the document that flights between Belgrade and Moscow have not been suspended, given that EU airspace is closed to flights from Russia.

MEPs call on Serbia to reconsider its economic co-operation with Russia and suspend military co-operation with Moscow, including projects such as the Russian Humanitarian Center in Nis, which critics say is a direct Russian strategic project in Serbia.

The European Parliament is also concerned about the purchase of military equipment from Russia, Belarus and China, saying it accounts for 70 per cent of Serbia's total procurement.

The report also cites concerns about reports of wiretapping of Russian opposition leaders in Belgrade, which Serbian authorities reject as unfounded, BTA reported.

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The text also criticized the spread of misinformation about Russia's aggression against Ukraine, including the involvement of media close to the government, and called on Serbian authorities to take decisive steps in the fight against the most widespread fake news.

The report will be voted on at a meeting of the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee on June 14th and is due to be adopted at the EP's plenary session in June, the RTS added.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine