European Union President Ursula von der Leyen stated today that Serbia made the choice to join the EU nearly two decades ago, adding that this was not a strategic choice but a sincere wish of the Serbian people, and that the EU expects Serbia to move twice as fast on the path toward the Union.
“We live in a fragmented world where the gap between democracies and autocracies is widening. You know the EU’s position; our position implies freedom, not repression, including the right to peaceful assembly. We advocate for partnership instead of subjugation, and diplomacy instead of aggression. Nearly two decades ago, Serbia made the choice to join the EU; that was not a strategic choice but a sincere wish of the Serbian people. We expect Serbia to move twice as fast on the path toward the EU,” stated Von der Leyen at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
She added that the opportunity for membership represents “an opportunity for promise, peace, prosperity, and solidarity.”
“Especially in times of crisis. You have seen that in practice. Take the example of the energy crisis of 2022, caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which had a drastic effect across our continent; we faced it together. The EU enabled the same solidarity measures for partners in the Western Balkans. You can continue to count on us; we are connecting Serbia to EU energy markets, and that is a secure guarantee that Serbian families will be safe and warm throughout the winter,” she said, adding:
“We have concrete projects that we have started—the Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor that will connect Serbia with neighboring countries and the EU, as well as the gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Serbia, and we are ready to invest further in these projects.”
She also added that the EU invited Serbia to join the common EU mechanism for gas procurement “because we use our common market to ensure a safe supply.”
“Mr. President, now is the right moment for Serbia to take concrete steps in joining. First, we must see progress in the area of the rule of law, electronic media, and electoral laws. I know these reforms are not easy. They require persistence, patience; all segments of society and the political spectrum must be included. But the effort is worth it because it brings you closer to the goal—these are also the foundations for a sustainable and peaceful society,” Von der Leyen stated.
In that context, she welcomed, as she said, the healthy progress regarding the voters’ list, as well as the REM Council.
“I am aware of the efforts everyone has put in to cooperate, including civil society and the opposition. This is a good first step,” the European Commission President stated.
She also pointed out that implementation is the key, and invited the President of Serbia to come to Brussels in a month “so that we can see the situation together.”
“My assessment is that we should see a greater degree of alignment in foreign policy, including sanctions against Russia. I must commend you because you have harmonized 61 percent of your foreign policy with ours, but more is needed. We must count on Serbia as a reliable partner. We know that Serbia’s path to the European Union can be long, which is why we wanted to enable some of the benefits of future accession now, such as access to the common market and a greater degree of EU investment. That is more or less the essence of our Growth Plan for the Western Balkans,” she stated.
Within that plan, she added, the EU has already provided more than 100 million euros in new investments for Serbia, and there will be more.
“As part of the Growth Plan, you have established a supervisory body that includes representatives of civil society organizations, whom I will meet later, and also covers government representatives. I think such a committee is an excellent signal; it sends a strong message of trust and cooperation. I think this is the right path to take. As part of the Growth Plan, we are working on integrating Serbia into the EU’s single payment system; this will facilitate money transfers between Serbia and the EU—safer and cheaper—and will have a significant effect on the business sphere and your citizens, many of whom live in the EU. This shows the commitment of the EU that exists in deeds and real changes on the ground. Now we want to see Serbia also show changes through deeds,” she stated.
“A Moment to Strengthen the Foundations of an Effective Democracy”
When asked about student demands, the European Commission President said that now is a crucial moment for Serbia and it is time for the whole nation to gather together.
“This is the moment to strengthen the foundations of a strong, vibrant, and effective democracy. I want to assure you that the EU is ready to support you and make every necessary effort in this regard. The entire accession process is about this, the reforms that need to be carried out by bringing society along. Everyone needs to be involved; society is changing and democracy is being built. This should cover the entire political spectrum, as well as important parts of civil society. I want to emphasize, I truly welcome the process regarding the updated voters’ list and that an agreement on the REM Council has been reached,” she stated.
The government, she added, cooperated with civil society organizations and stated that this has created a platform for media reform, “electoral reform, and by forming such a working platform, you will be able to make progress and agree on two important issues.”
“This is an important example and a good step for further reforms. Now it is important to see changes on the ground,” Von der Leyen said.Membership in the EU is a Strategic Commitment for Serbia
President Aleksandar Vučić said that for Serbia, EU membership is a strategic commitment and the priority of its foreign policy after the meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. He said that this will not change until the next elections, and he believes not even after that.
“I am especially grateful to her for being one of the few officials from around the world who has repeatedly visited the territory of the Republic of Serbia and not just its capital. So, Mrs. Von der Leyen has visited other, poorer parts of Serbia, helped in less developed parts of Serbia, and that is what we particularly value, and why we emphasize special respect and gratitude. For Serbia, membership in the European Union is a strategic commitment and the priority of its foreign policy. And this certainly will not change until the next elections. I believe, not even after that,” Vučić said at the press conference.
He then commented on Serbia’s European path.
“Lately, since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, we have not opened any chapter, any cluster. It seems to me that we have done some things, at least lately; we still have a lot more to do. But also to talk amongst ourselves here in the country about the directions of our policy. What has been done regarding the regulatory agency, voters’ lists, and some other things related to key energy issues will be positively evaluated by the European Commission, but we know that we still have a lot to do,” Vučić stated.
He added that they are now “facing a difficult situation in the energy sector.”
“Winter Will Not Be Simple for Us”
He believes that the European Commission will “find a way to ease the status, at least a little, for candidate countries and facilitate something in that regard.”
“I believe that the winter will not be simple for us, it will not be easy; we have secured large reserves of both oil and gas, but as things are going, it will be a politically difficult winter for us. In any case, we will closely cooperate and I believe successfully with people from the European Union on that matter as well. I want to say that the European Union is also the biggest investor and the biggest partner of Serbia in trade and services. All of us in the Western Balkans are small for the European Union, and we are all known on it,” Vučić said.
As he said, according to the latest data, 54.5% of the total exports from the Western Balkans to the European Union countries come from Serbia. Our largest exports go to the Federal Republic of Germany, followed by Italy, Romania, and Hungary.
“48.5% of our exports go to these four countries. The European Union is, as I said, also the biggest investor. Five EU countries particularly stand out in investments, which account for a total of 60% and come from the territories of the European Union countries. It was a smaller percentage in 2024, but this year that percentage is returning again, and at an equivalent level of investments, due to everything that happened in our country, it is somewhat lower,” Vučić stated.
He added that “we were not giving very optimistic reports” regarding Serbia’s entry into the EU.
“At least I was not talking about joining the European Union this or that year; we talked about that 5-6 years ago when other people were at the head of the European Commission, and it turned out that no one was serious when mentioning the year 2025, and we certainly were not ready either. Today I cannot promise people anything, except that we will work selflessly, hard, to try to fulfill what is called the reform agenda, and I hope that we will have the support of the European Union for all of this and that we will be heard in Brussels on this matter,” Vučić said.
However, as he says, it is not always all simple.
“And it is not entirely easy and fully presentable to the people here; you know what the two key issues for us are, and we do not have to open that topic today, but we will have to talk about it openly among ourselves in the coming months,” Vučić said.
In front of the Palace, a ceremonial formation of the Guard of the Serbian Army was positioned. The welcoming ceremony began with the playing of the anthems of Serbia and the EU, and a salute of 10 volleys was fired.
Following this, a tête-à-tête meeting between Vučić and Von der Leyen took place, and statements to the media were scheduled.
Vučić commented on the visit on Instagram, stating that it “strengthens the foundations of our relations with the European Union and renews the message of cooperation and mutual trust.”
“I am especially grateful to her for the readiness to listen and understand the challenges facing Serbia and the countries of the Western Balkans,” Vučić wrote.
He added what would be the subject of their discussion.
“We will talk about all important topics, from the complex challenges we face on the path to strengthening the rule of law, through energy security, economic stability, and regional cooperation, to how we can jointly turn challenges into opportunities and identify key steps that will lead our country toward measurable results,” Vučić wrote.
The solemn welcome was also attended by Ministers in the Government of Serbia, Jagoda Lazarević and Nemanja Starović, Head of the Serbian Mission to the EU, Danijel Apostolović, as well as the Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman, and the EU Ambassador to Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath.
After Belgrade, Von der Leyen will depart for Priština, where she will meet with representatives of the provisional Kosovo institutions.
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Source: Euronews, Blic; Foto: Printscreen Instagram @buducnostsrbijeav