European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos met with representatives of the “Student List” in Brussels, offering the European Union’s support for implementing democratic and institutional reforms in Serbia. The Student List won the latest parliamentary elections in the country.
According to Euronews, the meeting took place on Monday at the invitation of the European Commissioner and was attended by a four-member delegation representing the Student List.
It was the first high-level meeting between the political movement and European Union officials following its electoral victory, which brought an end to the Serbian Progressive Party’s (SNS) 14-year rule.
On Wednesday, speaking before members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kos confirmed that she had held talks with representatives of the Student List, stressing that Serbia now has an opportunity for a fresh start and to strengthen its democratic institutions.
According to Kos, Serbia’s new government has the potential to improve the protection of fundamental rights and take the necessary steps to advance the country’s EU accession process.
“Serbia has an opportunity for a fresh start,” Kos said, noting that the meeting addressed the priorities of the new government, including the restoration of democratic institutions.
Representatives of the Student List stressed that their primary goal is to restore the rule of law and democratic standards in Serbia – not merely to advance European integration, but above all, to serve the interests of the country’s citizens.
Kos said the student movement’s demands largely correspond to the reforms the European Union has been urging Serbia to implement for years, particularly in the areas of fighting corruption, judicial independence and media freedom.
She added that the EU also expects improvements in good-neighbourly relations and closer alignment with the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.
According to Kos, the European Commission is ready to assist the next Serbian government in implementing the necessary reforms.
Although the Student List’s electoral victory has opened the door to improved relations between Belgrade and Brussels, discussions focused primarily on Serbia’s domestic political situation rather than concrete steps concerning EU accession negotiations.
This was due to irregularities at several polling stations, which have prevented the finalisation of the election results. The delay is also holding up the formation of a new government.
