The European Union has called on the Serbian authorities to allow the canceled EuroPride gay pride parade to take place, the EU Foreign Service said in a statement.

In light of the announcement of the cancellation of EuroPride, the EU encourages the Serbian authorities to continue contacting the organizers in order to find a solution and host EuroPride in an atmosphere of peace and security, the agency said.

Brussels is counting on the commitment of close EU partners to protect the rights of LGBT people to assemble and express themselves.

Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the cancellation of the all-European gay pride parade in Belgrade scheduled for mid-September in light of the crisis in Kosovo and Metohija and other problems and tasks. In response, the organizers of EuroPride promised that events within its framework would still take place, but without a parade.

Last Sunday, Belgrade hosted the second procession of many thousands in defense of traditional values ​​and against the pan-European gay festival EuroPride.