EditSerbia’s EU bid in crisis: MEPs expose “false pro-European narrative”
Diplomats suspect Belgrade is mimicking reform in order to secure access to EU funds - in particular the frozen €1.5 billion
In a pointed debate on 7 July at the European Parliament’s plenary session, the rapporteur for Serbia, Croatian MEP Tonino Picula (S&D), delivered a stark assessment of the country’s EU accession progress.
Picula warned that reforms essential for membership have slowed significantly, with notable regression in critical areas such as the rule of law. His remarks, tied to the latest annual report on Serbia, underscored a growing frustration among many MEPs that Belgrade’s actions do not match its stated strategic goal of joining the European Union.
Picula highlighted ongoing failures in electoral reforms, including persistent problems with voter lists, and criticised the lack of progress in investigating the tragic collapse of the canopy at Novi Sad’s railway station in November 2024. While Serbian authorities continue to portray EU membership as a priority, he argued that the political leadership’s conduct often contradicts this rhetoric. The rapporteur also drew attention to the European Commission’s recommendation to potentially suspend or reprogram funding from the EU’s instrument for reforms and growth in the Western Balkans, redirecting resources toward judicial improvements, anti-corruption efforts, independent media, civil society, and culture.
Persistent challenges to democratic standards
Picula pointed to a decade of “stabilocracy” – a policy of tolerating authoritarian tendencies for short-term regional stability, as a factor that has worsened conditions across parts of the Western Balkans. This approach, he suggested, has contributed to low public support for EU membership in Serbia today. He emphasized that the EU’s past tolerance of Belgrade’s “false pro-European narrative” has eroded citizens’ trust in European institutions. Picula expressed conviction that pushing to open Cluster 3 of accession negotiations, which would restart talks after four years of stagnation, represents a misguided concession given the lack of tangible results.
Cluster 3 – Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth is one of the six thematic clusters in EU accession negotiations and groups eight chapters focused on economic modernisation, taxation, social policy, education, science, digital transformation, customs union, and enterprise/industrial policy.
Serbia’s alignment with EU foreign policy stands at only 63 percent, according to Picula, who noted strengthening ties with Russia and China as a particular concern. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos echoed the need for concrete action, stressing that Serbia must demonstrate genuine strategic commitment through reforms in the rule of law, democratic principles, and fundamental freedoms. Kos called for transparent and inclusive electoral reforms in line with ODIHR (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) recommendations, stronger media freedoms, and respect for citizens’ rights, including the freedom of assembly. She expressed hope that Serbia’s media regulatory body, REM, would soon become operational.
The debate revealed sharp divisions within the European Parliament. Davor Ivo Štir, from the European People’s Party (whose associate member is Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party), warned that Serbia cannot advance toward the EU while maintaining close relations with the bloc’s adversaries. He acknowledged past unsuccessful attempts by member states and the Parliament to influence Belgrade’s policies, concluding that harmonization with the EU remains unlikely in the near term.
In stronger terms, Andreas Šider of the Socialists and Democrats group identified Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić as the central obstacle on Serbia’s European path. Šider described a decade of democratic regression, declining media freedom, rising corruption, and opaque foreign policy maneuvers under Vučić’s leadership. He urged the European Parliament to support Serbia’s student movement, which demands a modern, functional, and accountable state. Šider also called for a new electoral law guaranteeing free and fair elections and a clean voter register before any future polls.
Other MEPs reinforced these concerns. Helmut Brandstätter of the liberals noted that opening Cluster 3 would be premature without meaningful reforms, pointing to Vučić’s admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and speculation about his potential return to the premiership after his presidential term. Greens MEP Vladimir Prebilič insisted that the European Parliament is not hostile to the Serbian people but must clearly signal dissatisfaction with the current state of democracy. “Serbia deserves free and fair elections as soon as possible,” he declared. Dimitrije Sturza from the European Conservatives and Reformists highlighted the need for regional cooperation on projects like Đerdap 3, emphasizing that the Danube is an international waterway requiring joint agreements.
Funding, judicial reforms, and Brussels’ strategic dilemma
The European Parliament is scheduled to vote on 8 July on a draft resolution based on Picula’s report, which covers developments through 2025 and includes the AFET committee’s visit to Serbia in January 2026. The report was approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 June. Amid the parliamentary criticism, recent developments in judicial policy have sparked renewed debate in EU capitals.
In May, the European Commission pushed back against claims of halted funding, yet Commissioner Kos had previously indicated that disbursements under the Growth Plan were paused due to judicial backsliding. Serbia, an EU candidate since 2012 with accession talks opened in 2014, has faced prolonged delays over rule-of-law shortcomings, media freedom issues, Kosovo relations, and limited foreign policy alignment. International observers reported irregularities and violence during recent local elections.
The Commission is assessing whether Serbia still meets conditions for financial support, with concerns ranging from laws undermining judicial independence to crackdowns on protesters and interference in media. Belgrade has received €110 million so far, but around €1.5 billion remains in question. The EU remains Serbia’s largest donor, having provided over €586 million in grants from 2021–2024 and more than €7 billion since 2000 according to Serbian figures.
Brussels has weighed reopening Cluster 3 negotiations following Serbia’s repeal of controversial judiciary laws (the so-called Mrdić laws) enacted earlier in the year. The Commission views the reversal as remedying some backsliding and strengthening the Prosecutor’s Office for Organised Crime, though it acknowledges that further work is needed. An information note circulated to member states argues that these steps justify advancing talks, but diplomats remain divided. Unanimous approval from EU governments is required.
Last week, Serbia sent a high-level delegation to Brussels to present its reform agenda and highlight recent progress on key policy areas. Officials strongly emphasized the country’s readiness to move forward on its EU accession path. Speaking at a press event, Ana Brnabić, Speaker of Serbia’s National Assembly, expressed frustration over the continued delay in opening Cluster 3. She noted that Serbia has been technically ready for this step since 2021.
Serbia pushes for EU progress in Brussels, highlighting reforms and readiness for Cluster 3
A EU diplomat told EUalive off the record that Brussels does not believe the current Serbian leadership’s commitment to the EU is genuine, but that Belgrade is merely mimicking it in order to secure access to EU funds – in particular the frozen €1.5 billion.
🇪🇺 ambassadors today had a debate on the 🇪🇺 commission paper on 🇷🇸. 8 member states are against opening cluster 3 – 🇸🇪🇳🇱🇫🇮🇧🇪🇪🇪🇱🇹🇧🇬🇭🇷 – citing rule of law issues and lack of 🇷🇺 sanctions alignment. 🇱🇺🇱🇻🇩🇰 also unconvinced. clearly there is no consensus to move forward on this now https://t.co/d6UiaQz2Dz
— Rikard Jozwiak (@RikardJozwiak) July 8, 2026
Sources: BETA, BGNES, European Parliament press releases
Caption: Tonino Picula, European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia. (EP Press Service)
Updated: July 8, 2026 - 14:40
