Picula: Serbia's future EU approach hinges on elections

The upcoming elections in Serbia will be a defining moment for the country's relationship with the European Union, according to European Parliament Rapporteur Tonino Picula. He told N1 that the preparation, conduct, and aftermath of these elections will be the "key event" in shaping future EU-Serbia dynamics.

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The preparation of those elections, their conduct, and the post-election period will be the key event in the future dynamics of relations between the EU and Serbia.

Picula highlighted Serbia's stagnation in the EU accession process over the past five years, evidenced by its absence from recent EU enlargement meetings. This lack of progress makes it improbable that Serbia will open Cluster 3 of the accession negotiations. He pointed out a divergence between the European Parliament's consistent assessment of developments in Serbia and the European Commission's fluctuating stance, particularly noting the Commission's recommendation to open Cluster 3 contrasted with its year-end report.

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Serbia's absence from this week's EU enlargement-related meetings underscored the lack of progress in the accession process over the past five years and made it unlikely that the country would open Cluster 3.

He expressed uncertainty about whether the Commission would maintain a critical perspective on Serbia or if other interests, potentially driven by influential member states, would prevail. Picula also addressed Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's proposal to integrate all Western Balkan countries into the EU simultaneously, characterizing it as an attempt "to mask his own weaknesses."

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The Commission's recommendation to open Cluster 3 differs significantly from the assessment contained in its report on Serbia published at the end of last year.

Picula asserted that such a broad integration is unlikely, especially for the six Western Balkan candidates. He emphasized that Serbia's insufficient progress is not just the European Parliament's view but is shared by a significant number of EU member states.

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I do not think that can happen, especially when it comes to the six Western Balkan candidates. Serbia's lack of sufficient results to move forward is not only the European Parliament's assessment but also the view of a significant number of member states.