Article:
The European Union has delivered its toughest message yet to Belgrade. The Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, handed Serbian authorities the latest European Commission Progress Report, which sharply criticizes the state of democracy, corruption, and deep political polarization under President Aleksandar Vučić’s rule.
According to the report, Serbia’s progress toward EU membership will depend directly on two decisive conditions — rule of law and normalization of relations with Kosovo. Brussels reiterated that Serbia must fully align with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and ensure accountability for the violent events in northern Kosovo in the autumn of 2023.
“Through the EU-facilitated dialogue, Serbia and Kosovo must fully implement the obligations from the 2023 Agreement on the Path to Normalization, as well as all previous agreements. Serbia must also ensure accountability for the events in northern Kosovo,” Beckerath stated firmly.
In response, a visibly irritated Vučić said that Serbia “would be ahead of other candidate countries if it recognized Kosovo and imposed sanctions on Russia,” but insisted that he will not do so — a defiant statement that once again places Serbia on a collision course with the EU.
Beckerath also underlined that reforms are the foundation of democracy and Serbia’s economic development. However, he pointed out that reform momentum has slowed, with rising polarization, corruption, and lack of accountability undermining citizens’ trust — particularly after the tragic Novi Sad incident and the government’s repressive response to post-tragedy protests.
The opposition in Serbia has called the report the most critical to date, warning that the country is turning into a “captured state.” Green-Left MP Radomir Lazović emphasized that the document marks a clear shift in the EU’s tone toward Belgrade, adding that “for the first time, Serbia is publicly described as an autocratic state.”
Political analysts agree: this report signals a turning point in the EU’s approach to Vučić’s regime, highlighting regression in media freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Experts warn that Serbia is entering a period of delegitimization of power, both domestically and internationally — and that Vučić’s defiance over Kosovo and Russia may finally be isolating him beyond repair.
