Four representatives of Serbia’s Student List movement met with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in Brussels earlier this week, marking the movement’s first high-level contact with EU officials since its strong performance in the parliamentary elections.
The meeting, held on Monday at Kos’s invitation, focused primarily on democracy, the rule of law and domestic reforms in Serbia rather than on improving relations between Belgrade and the European Union.
Kos confirmed the meeting on Wednesday during an address to the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, saying Serbia had an opportunity for a new beginning.
“Serbia has a chance for a fresh start. The new Serbian government has an opportunity to turn a new page, strengthen democratic institutions and fundamental rights, and take the necessary steps to advance on Serbia’s EU accession path,” Kos said.
Meeting held as European Commission finalized its annual report
Kos said she met with representatives of the Student List while the European Commission was completing its annual assessment of candidate countries.
The Commission’s latest report on Serbia identifies negative trends concerning fundamental rights and anti-European rhetoric. However, the assessment period ended before the elections, meaning the report does not reflect their outcome.
“I met with representatives of the Student List. We discussed many issues, including how they now see Serbia’s primary role in becoming a democratic country again,” Kos said.
According to the commissioner, the delegation emphasized its commitment to restoring the rule of law and democracy in Serbia, saying these objectives were important for Europe but, above all, for the Serbian people.
Kos said the movement’s stated priorities were consistent with the reforms the EU expects from Serbia.
“They want the same things in Serbia that the European Union is asking for: fighting corruption, free and independent media, an independent judiciary, good-neighborly relations and, of course, strategic alignment with the European Union,” she said.
She added that the European Commission was ready to help Serbia’s new government implement the necessary reforms.
New government formation remains uncertain
The discussions focused on domestic issues partly because irregularities at several polling stations have delayed the finalization of election results and, consequently, the formation of a new government.
The Student List has yet to clarify its leadership structure and plans for the government, meaning its delegation attended the meeting as a group.
The European Commission declined to identify the four participants.
The meeting was the movement’s first high-level discussion with a senior EU official. According to the published schedule of the European Commission, its representatives did not meet with any other commissioners that day.
The encounter signals the EU’s willingness to engage with the Student List, while the next steps in Serbia’s European integration will depend on the formation of a new government and its implementation of reforms concerning democratic institutions, fundamental rights and alignment with EU policies.
