On Wednesday 31 March, Commissioner for Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi called on Serbia to continue its reforms.
“Based on the revised methodology, we have an opportunity to significantly accelerate Serbia’s accession negotiations this year.”, he explained at the Clingendael Institute’s webinar ‘Serbia on a wobbly road to EU membership’.
“Serbia must keep delivering on its reform commitments”, the Commissioner added.
Thus, while noting the latest progress, notably on inter-party dialogue, constitutional reform linked to judicial reform and the new media strategy, Mr Várhelyi said the priority was to work with Serbia to help translate these measures into tangible progress on the ground.
Further reforms are needed, he said, including making the administration more efficient, improving the predictability of the implementation of legislation and increasing the transparency of public investments. Businesses would greatly benefit from an improved situation with regard to corruption and the exercise of the Rule of law, the Commissioner added. He also called for a further reduction in the size of the grey economy, as this would greatly improve the investment climate.
Finally, Mr Várhelyi recalled that it was crucial to make progress in the Dialogue with Kosovo, “which is of key importance for the European aspirations” of both countries. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)