The opposition party Serbia Centre (SRCE) stated on Tuesday that Serbia’s boycott of the EU–Western Balkans Summit in Brussels represents a clear sign of political powerlessness and an implicit admission of the failure of the country’s EU accession policy.
In a statement released this evening, SRCE noted that Serbia was represented by no official at the summit for the first time in 14 years, a decision announced two days earlier by President Aleksandar Vučić.
According to the party, Serbia has once again failed to open Cluster 3 in the EU accession process, arguing that the current leadership has pushed the country into a foreign policy dead end instead of advancing European integration.
Governance, Corruption, and Democratic Backsliding
SRCE accused the ruling authorities of overseeing systematic institutional decline, stating that under what it described as a “unprofessional and criminalized government,” Serbia has recorded negative trends across key international indicators.
The party cited data showing that Serbia ranks:
- Fourth in Europe and first in the region for organized crime,
- 108th globally in anti-corruption efforts,
- 96th worldwide in freedom of expression, and
- Continues to face political repression, including allegations of unfair and non-transparent elections.
Economic and Diplomatic Consequences
SRCE further warned that ineffective and inconsistent foreign policy decisions have worsened Serbia’s economic position.
Among the examples listed, the party said Serbia:
- Failed to access EU funds allocated under the Western Balkans Growth Plan in 2025,
- Came under U.S. sanctions targeting the Serbian oil company NIS, and
- Has been unable to mitigate the negative impact of new EU entry systems, which are already affecting professional drivers and the transport sector.
Call for Political Change
According to SRCE, the only way to prevent further deterioration of Serbia’s internal situation and international standing is through a change of government.
The party concluded that free and fair elections, followed by the restoration of democracy, rule of law, and civil liberties, are essential for Serbia to return to a credible European path.
