**EU Official Hopes for Dialogue in Serbia**
Tonino Picula, the European Parliament’s representative for Serbia, has expressed hope that a solution to the country’s complex situation can be found through dialogue. Picula visited Serbia for three days and met with government and opposition representatives.
Picula said that the protests in Serbia lack an institutional character, making it difficult for those in power to connect with the people protesting daily. He stressed the importance of dialogue in bridging differences, but noted that his “extended hand” was only accepted by Ana Brnabic, the speaker of the Serbian Parliament.
**No Meetings with Student Protesters**
There were reports that student protesters had refused to speak with Picula, but he denied this, saying he never requested meetings with them and they were not planned by the EU Delegation in Serbia. In fact, President Aleksandar Vucic said he was “overjoyed” that students had turned down Picula’s invitation for talks.
**Concerns about Police Action**
Picula also expressed concern about police action against certain civil society organizations in Serbia. He noted that the police were in the offices of five NGOs while he was having talks with them at the EU Delegation office, which he called an “unfortunate coincidence.”
**Accusations Need to be Substantiated**
Picula said that accusations need to be substantiated or completely dismissed, especially when they involve international funding. He referred to the use of USAID funds by some NGOs and the detention and expulsion of European citizens from Serbia.
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