The Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, met the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the EU Council, António Costa, at a working dinner in Brussels on the evening of Tuesday 25 March.
Serbia is facing a wave of public anger following the collapse of the canopy at Novi Sad station on 1 November 2024, which culminated on 15 March in a rally in the capital attended by hundreds of thousands of demonstrators demanding “accountability and justice”.
The three leaders discussed the need to push ahead with EU-related reforms and the escalating situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Progress is needed on media freedom, the fight against corruption and electoral reform”, said António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen in two posts on X.
For his part, the Serbian leader declared that Serbia is “absolutely committed to this strategic path” (towards the EU) and that “a decision will be taken very soon on the formation of a new government or the holding of elections”.
As a candidate for EU membership, Serbia - and its president - face criticism from Europe for his deference towards Vladimir Putin’s regime and his pro-Russian stance (see EUROPE 13531/4).
The country is expected to be on track to open ‘Cluster III’ of the acquis, linked to competitiveness and growth, after being invited by member countries to submit its negotiating positions for Chapters 16 and 19 (see EUROPE 13547/2).
The idea of holding an intergovernmental conference by 2026 was revived at the end of last year, but the process is no further advanced than it was five months ago, according to several diplomatic sources. The last IGC with Belgrade was held in December 2021. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)