Picula: Serbia's grace period is a test of government's commitment to EU

Serbia has been granted a six-month grace period to fulfill the conditions for unlocking funds from the European Union's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. This development comes as the EU's enlargement policy experiences a resurgence, according to Tonino Picula, the European Parliament's Rapporteur for Serbia. However, Picula cautioned that Brussels is unlikely to offer "any free passes," emphasizing that this period will serve as a crucial test of the Serbian government's seriousness in meeting its commitments.

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Brussels to “grant any free passes” and that this period will be a test of how seriously the Serbian government intends to fulfill its obligations.

Picula observed a renewed sense of optimism surrounding EU enlargement, a topic that had previously been sidelined in European Council meetings. This revitalized policy aims to provide opportunities for countries that, at least verbally, express a desire for EU membership. It is within this context that Serbia has been given a six-month window to implement necessary reforms for accessing the Growth Plan funding.

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It seems to me that Serbia has its place, but not the place portrayed by pro-government media in Serbia. (Serbian) President (Aleksandar) Vucic is currently in a far more complicated position than he and the media he controls wish to admit.

The rapporteur expressed skepticism about Serbia's portrayal in pro-government media, suggesting President Aleksandar Vučić is in a more challenging position than acknowledged. Picula criticized the framing of Vučić's meetings with European leaders as mere "sugarcoating of reality," arguing that problematic issues raised during these discussions are omitted. He asserted that despite media efforts and lobbying, the core message remains clear: Serbia cannot advance toward the EU with its current administration and under present conditions.

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This is especially true for a government that has failed to open a single negotiating chapter in four full years.

Picula stressed that EU criteria are unambiguous and must be adhered to. He reiterated his belief that no "free passes" will be issued, particularly for a government that has failed to open any negotiating chapters in four years. He specifically criticized the judiciary laws, dubbed "Mrdic laws" or "Vučić's laws," enacted earlier this year, viewing them as a signal that the government lacks genuine intent to adopt democratic standards. The coming six months, Picula concluded, will be a definitive test of the government's commitment, with potential for increased tensions and internal political struggles as elections approach.

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By adopting the so-called ‘Mrdic laws’ (judiciary laws) - which I call ‘Vucic’s laws’ - at the start of this year, they sent a clear signal that they have no serious intention of adopting the democratic standards required not just for EU membership, but for any country that calls itself a democracy.