EU Ambassador to Serbia calls for de-escalation and investigations into excessive police use of force
Express newspaper
20/08/2025 22:46
The new European Union Ambassador to Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, said on Wednesday after a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Gjuro Macut that the European bloc condemns the violence in protests in Serbian cities and called for an immediate calm of the situation.
“Freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of the media must be respected,” Von Beckeret wrote on his X account on Wednesday.
He also stressed that “police action must remain proportionate” and that “excessive use of force must be investigated, including threats and violence against journalists.”
A wave of protests, which began in Serbia in November 2024, has now entered a new phase.
There have been daily clashes between demonstrators and police since August 12, when violence erupted in the northern towns of Vërbas and Baçka Pallanka.
These incidents sparked protests in dozens of cities in the country, including the capital Belgrade, as accusations of police brutality spread across the country.
In recent days, several non-governmental organizations have filed criminal charges against police officers for police violence against protesters.
Beckerath added that the European Union is closely monitoring the situation “also in the context of negotiations with Serbia for EU membership.”
“The path to the European Union offers solutions to many of the challenges Serbia faces,” added Von Beckeret.
He also wrote that he had a constructive meeting with the Prime Minister of Serbia.
Macut previously welcomed von Beckerat’s “proactive approach since the first day of his mandate and balanced statements on the current situation in Serbia, especially the condemnation of all types of violence, including attacks on political party premises.”
During the protests, the offices of the ruling party in Serbia, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), were damaged.
Since November, massive protests have been taking place in Serbia following the collapse of a concrete shelter at the Novi Sad railway station, where 16 people lost their lives.
Students and protesters are demanding criminal and political accountability, as well as the announcement of early parliamentary elections.