EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has backed protesters in candidate Member State Serbia, calling for action against corruption and the protection of the rule of law, and warning that membership is at risk without significant changes.
“Serbia has to be brought back on the European track,” Kos said in an interview with European Newsroom. “What we are demanding from Serbia on the way of the EU accession is nearly exactly the same as what the protesters in Serbia are demanding,” she added.
Protests have been ongoing in Serbia since November following the collapse of a train station roof that killed 16 people. Protesters claim the tragedy resulted from government negligence and corruption. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has accused the demonstrators of being paid by “foreign intelligence agencies.”
The protests led to the Prime Minister’s resignation and the government’s fall. On Wednesday, parliament confirmed the appointment of new Prime Minister Djuro Macut.
Kos urged the new government to be “pro-European” and “pro-reform,” and to make progress towards EU accession. She plans to visit Belgrade at the end of April.
The European Union has a tense relationship with Vucic, who maintains close ties with Russia despite the war in Ukraine. On Wednesday, Vucic confirmed that, despite EU Commission warnings, he will travel to Russia on 9 May for a military parade commemorating World War II.
The EU has warned Belgrade that its EU accession chances are at risk but aims to maintain dialogue with Serbia amid significant geopolitical tensions.
In discussions with Kos and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in March, Vucic promised media and election reforms. “If Serbia meets these conditions, it will indeed be possible to continue,” Kos said when asked if negotiations on a new chapter could start this year.
By the end of 2021, negotiations had begun on 22 of the 35 chapters required for EU accession, with two provisionally completed. However, no further progress has been made since then.
Belgrade is awaiting an update on a ‘Benchmarks Assessment Report’ regarding judicial reforms. Kos also noted that the EU has begun talks with civil society organisations and asked Vucic to involve them in the accession process. “This is a prerequisite, and we sincerely hope Serbia will get back on track,” she said.
