Speaker of the Serbian Parliament Ana Brnabić has sent a letter to the President of the European Parliament Roberta Mezzola, in which she expresses deep concern and strong dissatisfaction with the actions of the EP rapporteur for Serbia Tonino Picula, regional TV En1 reported, quoted by BTA.
The reason for Brnabić's dissatisfaction is the photo that Croatian MEP Picula published on August 5 - the anniversary of the Croatian operation "Storm", with which in 1995 Croatia achieved victory in its war for independence from the former Yugoslavia. In the photo, Picula is wearing a Croatian military uniform and holding a firearm.
In the letter, published in “Novosti“, Brnabić describes Picula's action as disturbing and states that it undermines his credibility and impartiality and casts a shadow on the European Parliament itself.
“The image sends a harmful message to Serbian citizens about the values and principles that the European Union claims to defend: reconciliation, tolerance, dialogue and respect for all victims regardless of their nationality“, Brnabić wrote.
She calls on Metsola to take a clear position on the issue and confirms Serbia's firm commitment to its European integration, based on mutual respect and cooperation.
For his part, in a post on the Ex platform, former Serbian President Boris Tadić called for Picula's removal from the post of rapporteur for Serbia.
Earlier this week, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić also criticized Picula, stating that he was proud of the fact that he had so far refused to accept him.
It has been 30 years since Operation Storm, a military and police action crucial for the liberation of occupied territories in Croatia.
Standing for peace, strengthening democracy and equitable economic prosperity should be permanent guiding principles in the development of our society, especially today when these values are under… pic.twitter.com/7SKC587VhQ
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Source: www.bta.bg