The European Parliament has delivered a clear message to Belgrade: progress towards EU membership will only be possible with genuine reforms and respect for democratic standards.
In a resolution adopted on 8 July 2026, MEPs emphasized that Serbia’s accession process has effectively stalled. While Serbia has aligned much of its legislation with EU standards, implementation remains weak, undermining credibility and trust. The report highlights that accession must remain a merit‑based process, with each candidate assessed individually, not as part of a regional package.
MEPs expressed concern over Serbia’s deepening ties with Russia and China, stressing that full alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy — including restrictive measures against Russia — is a non‑negotiable requirement for accession.
The resolution also points to Serbia’s deepening political crisis, marked by mass protests since late 2024 and declining public support for EU membership. MEPs argue that the only way forward is through genuinely free and fair elections, which would restore democratic legitimacy and public trust.
Rapporteur Tonino Picula (S&D, Croatia) concluded: “Serbia’s EU accession process has effectively stalled, due to democratic backsliding, weakened rule of law, failure to implement key reforms and lack of alignment with EU foreign policy. Despite continually reaffirming its strategic commitment, Serbia’s political leadership has so far demonstrated limited political will to undertake reforms or to align with the values and policies required for accession.”
Diplomatic Framing
This resolution places Serbia at a crossroads:
- Either demonstrate real commitment to European values through reforms, free elections, and foreign policy alignment,
- Or risk further isolation from the EU’s enlargement agenda.
The European Parliament’s stance underscores that Serbia’s future in the Union depends not on declarations, but on measurable, sustainable progress in democracy and rule of law.
