The Head of the EU Delegation in Belgrade, Andreas von Beckerath, handed over to Serbian authorities the latest European Commission report on Serbia’s progress in the European integration process. The document notes that societal polarization and corruption have deepened the political crisis.
The European Commission stresses that Serbia’s progress towards EU membership will depend on the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Kosovo, demanding that Belgrade fully align with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.
“Through the EU-facilitated dialogue, Serbia and Kosovo should fully implement the obligations from the 2023 Roadmap to Normalization Agreement, as well as all previous agreements. Serbia should also ensure accountability for the events in northern Kosovo by autumn 2023,” stated the Head of the EU Delegation in Belgrade, Andreas von Beckerath.
Commenting on the report, President Aleksandar Vučić said that Serbia “would be ahead of other candidate countries if it recognized Kosovo and imposed sanctions on Russia,” but added that it will not do so.
Beckerath stressed that reforms remain the foundation for Serbia’s democracy and economic development.
“Although some steps forward have been made, the pace of reforms has slowed. We see growing polarization, corruption and lack of accountability. The tragic event in Novi Sad and the response of institutions to the protests that followed have deepened civic distrust,” said the EU ambassador.
On the other hand, the opposition called the report its most critical to date, stressing that Serbia is turning into a “captured state.” Green-Left Front MP Radomir Lazović said the document reflects the EU’s change in stance towards Belgrade.
“The report expresses deep concern about authoritarian tendencies and for the first time Serbia is publicly described as an autocratic state,” Lazovic stated.
Political observers believe that the European Commission’s report, which notes Serbia’s regression in the areas of media freedom, democracy and the rule of law, is a clear signal that the EU is making a U-turn in its policy towards Belgrade. According to them, this is the most critical report to date, while European integration experts warn that a process of delegitimization of power is underway in Serbia, both domestically and internationally.