FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The European Union is preparing a plan to reward Serbia after authorities in Belgrade partially withdrew controversial laws that international experts said threatened the independence of the judicial system and weakened the fight against organized crime.
According to POLITICO, the European Commission is considering various forms of incentives to encourage Serbia to continue reforms and not back down from the commitments made as part of the European Union accession process. Four officials involved in drafting the plan, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Brussels is looking for concrete ways to support this process.
However, these plans are expected to be postponed following Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's announcement that he intends to resign and call early parliamentary and presidential elections, making the moment politically sensitive.
Meeting with European leaders
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Vučić during a summit held this month in Montenegro.
According to two European officials, the possibility of Serbia being "rewarded" if it were to abandon laws that conflict with European Union standards and legislation was discussed during the meeting.
The European Commission and the Venice Commission, the highest legal advisory body of the Council of Europe, had warned that these laws would have negative consequences for democracy and institutions in Serbia.
According to them, the legal changes could lead to the dismissal of prosecutors investigating organized crime and the obstruction of corruption investigations.
After a vote in Serbia's Parliament last week, the most controversial provisions were softened.
"We must not lose Serbia"
One of the European officials said that there is a conviction in Brussels that Serbia should not deviate from the European path.
"There is a general feeling that we should not completely lose Serbia. Even though the country is not expected to join the EU in the near future, it is important to remain engaged in the accession process and continue reforms," he said.
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos held a conversation with the Speaker of the Serbian Parliament on Friday, during which they discussed "the next steps that Serbia should take on its path towards the European Union."
Vučić's resignation changes the situation
On Saturday, President Aleksandar Vučić announced that he would resign and the country would go to elections.
"These are my last days and weeks as president of the republic. After that, I will resign," Vučić declared to supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) at a rally in Belgrade.
His second and final presidential term ends in 2027.
Despite facing months of protests and public discontent due to corruption allegations, media reports suggest that Vučić is expected to run for prime minister.
The European Commission's chief spokeswoman, Paula Pinho, stated that at the moment it is not yet clear who the candidates will be in the upcoming elections.
Warning about European funds
Serbia has been a candidate country for membership in the European Union since 2012.
However, Brussels has warned that the country could lose more than a billion euros in funding due to democratic backsliding and close relations with Russia.
The European Union remains Serbia's largest financier. During the period 2021–2024, it has allocated over 586 million euros in grants, while making available up to another 1.5 billion euros, conditional on the implementation of reforms.
According to the Serbian government, since 2000 the country has benefited from more than 7 billion euros in funds and investments from the European Union.
Belgrade is aiming to open the third group of chapter of membership negotiations in the coming weeks.
Serbia's Ambassador to the European Union and chief negotiator for accession, Danijel Apostolović, stated that the new laws on the judiciary are now fully in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
"The opening of the third group of chapters would be important for both Serbia and the European Union. It would mark a turning point in our accession process and help us break the deadlock we have been stuck in for years," he said.
This group of chapters covers issues related to economic competitiveness, economic growth, industrial policy and harmonisation with the EU Customs Union. According to one European official, it is considered a less politically sensitive area, where progress can be achieved despite disagreements between the parties.
The European Commission has recommended the opening of this chapter group over the past five years, but the process has been blocked by several member states, as decisions require unanimous approval.
However, diplomats from two member states that remain skeptical of Serbia's progress expressed doubts that the opening of a new chapter group will be approved soon.
"Returning to ground zero by undoing the damage you have caused is the minimum necessary. This is not enough to deserve a reward," declared a European diplomat.
Lini një Përgjigje