The Head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia, Ambassador Andreas von Beckerath, has warned that the recent adoption of new judicial laws, known as the “Mrdić Laws,” undermines public confidence in the independence of the judiciary and complicates Serbia’s path toward European Union membership.
Speaking on the RTV Vojvodina program Pravi ugao, Ambassador von Beckerath emphasized that the EU expected to be consulted during the legislative process, which he described as non-transparent.
“We regret the adoption of amendments to the judicial laws, as this erodes trust in judicial independence. We expect reforms that will confirm the autonomy of the judiciary and uphold the rule of law,” said von Beckerath.
The ambassador noted that during the visit of Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujić to Brussels, the EU requested a legal suspension of the laws’ implementation to prevent immediate harm, followed by a review and revision with support from the EU and the Venice Commission.
Regarding the opening of EU negotiation clusters, von Beckerath stated that it is too early to discuss Cluster 3, which covers competitiveness and inclusive growth, until the judicial laws are suspended and revised.
He highlighted that while there is momentum for EU enlargement, Serbia must accelerate judicial reforms and rule of law initiatives, supported by political will from the government, opposition, and civil society, to maintain progress toward EU accession.
Key Takeaways:
- “Mrdić Laws” threaten judicial independence and public trust
- EU seeks suspension and revision of the laws
- Cluster 3 negotiations delayed until reforms are completed
- Emphasis on political collaboration to uphold democratic standards
