Sandro Gozi, the Secretary-General of the European Democratic Party (EDP), issued a strong statement today praising the European Commission’s decision to place Serbia’s funding under review. His comments follow a hearing of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET), where Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos confirmed that €1.5 billion intended for Serbia is currently at risk.
“A Step in the Right Direction”
Gozi described the potential freeze as a “step in the right direction,” noting that the EDP has long advocated for stricter financial conditionality regarding Belgrade’s democratic backsliding.
“EU funds must remain frozen until Serbia takes the necessary measures to guarantee true electoral freedom, judicial independence, media independence, and the rule of law,” Gozi stated. “Words are no longer enough; what is needed are real reforms, independent oversight, and an end to institutional pressure on citizens and opposition forces.”
The Three Conditions for Serbia
Commissioner Marta Kos outlined specific benchmarks that Belgrade must meet before the funds from the Western Balkans Growth Plan can be released. The state faces losing its €1.5 billion allocation if it fails to address the following:
| Condition | Description |
| Judicial Reform | Full implementation of the Venice Commission’s conclusions regarding the “Mrdić Laws,” which critics argue consolidate political control over judges and prosecutors. |
| Electoral Integrity | Guarantees for free and fair elections, following international reports of violence and intimidation during recent local voting. |
| Media Freedom | Ensuring the independence of the media and the proper functioning of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM). |
Increasing Pressure from Brussels
The rhetoric from EU officials has sharpened significantly this month. Earlier in April, Gozi and MEP Vladimir Prebilič sent a public letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, expressing “profound alarm” over the erosion of democratic norms in Serbia. They specifically cited the “Mrdić Laws” as a serious step backward and called for an immediate halt to all disbursements.
Commissioner Kos added that the entire Western Balkans region risks losing over €700 million if reform deadlines are not met by June 30, but emphasized that the situation in Serbia is particularly concerning due to “active backsliding” on fundamental principles.
What’s Next?
The final decision on the freeze will likely depend on the Venice Commission’s official opinion, expected by the end of April. If the assessment confirms that the new judicial laws undermine the independence of the court system, Brussels is expected to formally suspend the payments, marking the most significant financial sanction against Serbia since it began accession talks in 2014.
