The European Movement in Serbia (EMuS) has expressed concern over Serbia’s absence from the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels, describing the decision as politically wrong, harmful, and counterproductive in the long term.
In a statement, EMuS emphasized that the absence of Serbian representatives weakens the country’s credibility in European integration and distances it from democratic values and rule-of-law standards, directly harming citizens’ interests and well-being.
“Serbia today is objectively further from EU membership than when accession negotiations began in 2014. The accession process has been effectively suspended for the past four years,” the statement reads.
Stagnation and Backsliding
EMuS criticized the Serbian government for simulating reforms, delaying strategic decisions, and systematically undermining core EU values. Despite claims of “new demands,” annual reports by the European Commission and resolutions by the European Parliament clearly indicate stagnation and regression in areas such as the rule of law, democratic institutions, judicial independence, and media freedom.
The movement also highlighted issues including lack of free and fair elections, the highest level of corruption in 13 years, close ties between officials and organized crime, excessive force against peaceful protesters, and systemic pressure on media, universities, and civil society—all incompatible with EU standards.
Strategic Alignment Ignored
Since 2022, alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy has been central to Serbia’s strategic commitments, yet the government has continuously avoided it. Meanwhile, Montenegro and Albania are advancing toward EU membership, leaving Serbia on the margins of the European process.
EMuS stated that Serbia’s non-participation in the summit should not be seen as principled or as a reflection of genuine commitment to EU accession. Rather, it signals political retreat and avoidance of responsibility for long-standing delays in integration.
The movement also noted that Serbia’s leadership participated in the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9 and in Beijing on September 2, further strengthening the perception that Serbia is withdrawing from the EU accession process.
EMuS calls for political accountability and the establishment of a functional democracy aligned with European values, in the interest of Serbia’s citizens and its future within the European Union.
