Picula to Demostat: Serbia’s EU path stalled by democratic decline and lack of reforms

European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia Tonino Picula MEP told the Demostat portal that the country’s EU accession process has been stalled for years due to concerns over democracy, rule of law, media freedoms and electoral conditions.

Picula said the four-year stagnation in relations between Brussels and Belgrade reflected concerns over developments in Serbia whose authorities, he added, have demonstrated limited cooperation with ruling coalition officials avoiding meeting him as rapporteur. “I have always been available to all political players in Serbia, but their attitude towards me says a lot about the political will of some to discuss openly the issues important for EU accession,” he said.

Picula said Serbia is far from free and fair elections despite claims by Serbian officials that changes to laws are in line with ODIHR recommendations. According to him, the recent local elections showed that Serbia still lacked conditions for “fair, transparent and inclusive” elections.

He rejected claims by Serbian authorities that the EU was involved in organizing political unrest, saying the accusations were attempts to spread conspiracy theories. Picula said protests in Serbia reflect dissatisfaction with corruption, weakened institutions, pressure on activists and journalists, and declining trust in the government. “The consequences of these interconnected deficits are a complete standstill on Serbia’s path towards the EU,” he said.

Picula said the European Commission should adopt a clearer and more consistent approach towards Serbia. He recalled European Parliament criticism of the Commission’s a lenient approach towards Belgrade. “We called on the Commission to take a clearer and more consistent approach towards the authorities in Serbia,” Picula said.

Picula said enlargement was no longer only about meeting standards but had become a security and geopolitical issue and added that candidates must continue to meet requirements related to rule of law and alignment with EU policies.