Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa in Brussels.
Regarding the meeting, von der Leyen wrote on X that they emphasized the need for Serbia to align its foreign and security policies with those of the EU. She also welcomed Serbia’s steps toward diversifying energy sources to reduce dependence on Russia, as reported by Gazeta Express.
“We were pleased to meet with Aleksandar Vučić to assess Serbia’s progress on its path toward the EU. We discussed the importance of accelerating reforms, particularly in rule of law and media freedom. We stressed that enlargement is a geostrategic necessity and highlighted the need for Serbia to further align with the EU’s foreign and security policy. We also welcomed Serbia’s steps to diversify energy sources and routes, reducing reliance on Russia, whose unreliability has been repeatedly demonstrated,” von der Leyen wrote.
This statement comes amid developments with the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS), which had been sanctioned by the United States due to Russian ownership. Without a license, NIS suspended operations earlier this month while awaiting approval from U.S. authorities to continue its activities as negotiations continue for the sale of its Russian shares.
Von der Leyen noted that the EU has consistently shown solidarity with Serbia through major energy infrastructure investments and support for the most vulnerable families.
She added that during visits earlier this year, she and Costa reaffirmed their full commitment to seeing a democratic Serbia in the EU.
“You can count on our support,” she concluded.
