Thewesternbalkans.
The European Parliament adopted two reports on the EU accession processes of Serbia and Kosovo on 7 May. Both countries are urged to make progress on reforms.
Serbia: “No room for progress in EU accession process”
Serbia has been urged to promote the rule of law, media freedom and the fight against corruption. Its foreign policy proximity to Russia has also been criticised – against the backdrop of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s visit to Moscow the same day.
Croatian MEP and rapporteur for the report on Serbia, Tonino Picula, made it clear at a press conference: Given the current developments, he sees “no room for progress in the EU accession process”. Reforms in key areas such as electoral law, media freedom and the fight against corruption are not progressing. Furthermore, rapprochement with the EU is not credible, while Serbian President Vučić is seeking rapprochement with Russia.
MEPs are demanding that Serbia conduct an independent investigation into the collapse of the Novi Sad train station canopy on 1 November 2024, as well as into the alleged use of illegal surveillance technology against demonstrators, rapporteur Picula reiterated.
Kosovo: progress but diplomatic obstacles within the EU
Regarding Kosovo, the rapporteur responsible and Estonian MEP Riho Terras said that a “new chapter” and a “new dialogue” were needed. “It is extremely positive that all major European parties strongly support Kosovo’s integration into the EU”. However, the main obstacle remains the lack of recognition by five EU member states – Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia and Romania. The Christian Democrat announced that he would seek talks with members of parliament from these countries: “I want to convince these five countries” – even if it is difficult.
The MEPs’ report on Kosovo stresses that the country is subject to foreign influence. Russia and China in particular are trying to destabilise the region and hinder European integration in the Western Balkans through disinformation campaigns. Parliament is therefore calling on the Kosovo government to strengthen its defence capabilities against such threats in a targeted manner.
“We call for the immediate lifting of EU sanctions. They were never fair and have been unnecessary from the start,” Terras said.
Commentary: The European Parliament has criticised Serbia’s closeness to Russia. On Wednesday, Vucic arrived in Moscow for the Russian military parade marking Victory Day over Nazi Germany. His arrival was overshadowed by the Baltic states’ flight bans, which forced him to make a stopover in Azerbaijan. Apart from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Vucic is the only state guest from Europe. The EC estimates that Serbia’s alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy has fallen from 54% in 2023 to to 51% in 2024, while other candidate countries in the region – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia – have achieved a 100% alignment rate. MEPs see Vučić’s trip to Moscow as proof that the Serbian prime minister does not want to lead his country towards EU accession. They believe that Serbia under Vučić’s regime cannot join this EU, as the opposition is spied on, students are threatened and the values of the European Union are openly rejected.
