Serbia has not achieved any progress in foreign and security policy, as its alignment level remains unchanged. Relations with Russia and China present particular concerns. The dialogue with Kosovo, crucial for Serbia’s advancement towards the European Union, has not shown the desired outcomes. Within the country, war criminals continue to be glorified. Additionally, Serbia received poor marks for freedom of expression.
These are key excerpts from the progress report on Serbia, which Radio Free Europe (RFE) reviewed.
The European Commission publishes reports for each country in the EU enlargement process on October 30.
This report represents the most important document released annually by the Commission, assessing the level of progress each country has made in essential reforms necessary for advancement on the European path.
Foreign, Security, and Defense Policy
The report concludes that Serbia has made no progress in this area, as alignment levels largely remain unchanged, and “some of its actions and statements contradict EU foreign policy positions.”
The document emphasizes that Serbia has maintained high-level relations with the Russian Federation, raising questions about Serbia’s strategic direction.
The European Commission urges Serbia to prioritize aligning more closely with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including restrictive measures. Additionally, the document notes that Serbia continued cooperation with the EU to prevent sanction circumvention and continued support for Ukraine.
However, the Commission also urges official Belgrade to intensify efforts to prevent any attempts to use Serbian territory or entities registered in Serbia to circumvent EU restrictive measures.
The Commission also calls on Serbia to make credible efforts to close the space for foreign interference and disinformation, as well as to take steps to build societal resilience to other forms of hybrid threats.
The report highlights Serbia’s intensifying relationship with China, including a Free Trade Agreement that came into force. The Commission views this as “a strategic concern.”
Normalization of Relations with Kosovo
The report states that both Serbia and Kosovo are expected to fulfill their commitments under the Agreement on the Path to Normalization of Relations, achieved in 2023 in Brussels and Ohrid.
It is noted that both sides participated in the EU-facilitated dialogue but need to demonstrate more serious and constructive commitment, avoiding actions and rhetoric that undermine stability. Serbia is expected to recognize Kosovo’s documents, symbols, and institutions.
“The agreement is valid and legally binding for both parties, and all formalities, including its adoption or ‘formalization,’ should not stand in the way of progress in its implementation,” the progress report on Serbia stresses.
The parties are also reminded of their obligation to fully implement all previous dialogue agreements.
“The constructiveness of the parties will be assessed solely based on their performance in implementation.
“Normalization of relations remains an essential condition on the European path for both parties, and both risk losing significant opportunities in the absence of progress,” the document states.
The report notes that tensions in northern Kosovo remain high. Serbia is criticized for not taking steps to ensure accountability for the armed group of Serbs who attacked Kosovo police on September 24, 2023, in Banjska.
This attack is described in the report as “the most severe escalation in recent years.”
The lack of concrete steps from Belgrade regarding Banjska, as per the report, impacts normalization efforts. Referring to earlier agreements reached in the dialogue, it notes that the withdrawal of Kosovo Serbs from Kosovo institutions in November 2022, and the boycott of local elections in northern Kosovo in April 2023, represent “a breach of Serbia’s obligations and a significant setback.”
In a passage addressing the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, the report states that the draft presented by the Management Team in 2023 “did not align with the relevant dialogue agreements.”
Thus, the EU’s proposal for establishing the Community in Kosovo was presented to the parties on October 21, 2023.
“Serbia and Kosovo are now called upon to constructively engage in establishing the Community without further delay,” the document asserts.
The Commission considers that the issue of Serbia-supported structures in Kosovo should be resolved in the spirit of the agreements reached rather than through unilateral and uncoordinated measures.
Serbia and Kosovo are expected to constructively engage in opening the Mitrovica bridge to vehicular traffic. Through this report, both sides are urged to find sustainable solutions allowing Kosovo’s participation in regional forums.
The EU welcomed the gradual phasing out of license plates with Kosovo city markings issued by Serbian authorities and the mutual recognition of license plates, requesting further steps toward full implementation of the freedom of movement agreement.
Serbian Assembly
In the new composition of the Serbian Assembly, the document indicates a greater political pluralism compared to the previous term.
However, it mentions that debates remain characterized by tensions between the ruling coalition and the opposition.
It highlights the need to revise parliamentary procedures, apply a code of conduct for MPs, and penalize infractions.
Strengthening the Assembly’s efficiency, autonomy, and transparency, as well as enhancing the role of parliamentary opposition, are considered necessary to ensure essential checks and balances on power.
“The effective exercise of parliamentary powers is limited by the fact that the Assembly lacks an annual work plan, and the agenda is set by the Government. Sessions have continued to be marked by tensions, offensive language, and occasional incidents, with impartial responses from the president sometimes lacking. Almost all adopted laws were submitted by the Government,” the document states.
Functioning of the Judiciary
The European Commission finds that Serbia made limited progress in this area, mainly regarding the adoption of by-laws related to the implementation of constitutional amendments.
However, the report notes that the current system for hiring, transferring, and promoting judges and prosecutors has not been comprehensively revised to ensure that promotions are fully merit-based.
The Commission considers that unwarranted pressure on the judiciary continues to raise concerns.
Fight Against Corruption
The European Commission notes certain progress on this issue.
It mentions the adoption of a new anti-corruption strategy, adding that the country has yet to adopt and implement the accompanying action plan.
An increase in the number of final convictions for high-level corruption cases, as well as the number of new investigations and indictments, is reported.
“Corruption is widespread in many areas and remains a matter of concern. There is a need for strong political will to effectively address corruption, as well as a robust judicial response to high-level corruption,” the report emphasizes.
Fight Against Organized Crime
Serbia has made limited progress in fulfilling last year’s recommendations.
It is noted that Belgrade authorities continued active cooperation with international organizations, particularly in the fight against drug trafficking and organized criminal groups.
Visa Policy
The European Commission concludes that Serbia’s national visa regime is still not fully aligned with Brussels, as Serbia continues a visa-free regime with 16 countries on the EU’s visa-required list.
However, Serbia has committed to withdrawing visa-free arrangements with at least three countries by December 2024.
Freedom of Expression
Serbia has made no progress on last year’s recommendations, according to the European Commission’s report.
It specifically calls for senior officials to refrain from labeling or verbally attacking journalists, ensuring that all threats and cases of physical and verbal violence are followed up on and, where necessary, publicly condemned, investigated, or prosecuted.
“Constant statements by senior officials regarding the daily and investigative work of journalists have a chilling effect on freedom of expression,” the document warns.
It is noted that attacks on two journalists from Novi Sad, including from ruling party members, did not receive adequate public condemnation from the relevant authorities.
The report recalls that after the announcement of an acquittal in the murder case of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija, this crime has remained unpunished for 25 years.
“No progress has been made in two other murder cases, one of which is now excluded from further investigation due to the statute of limitations,” it states.
The country is urged to implement new media laws, ensuring the independence of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) and the election of new members to its Council.
It also calls for transparent and fair co-financing of media content serving the public interest, along with full transparency in media ownership and advertising practices.
(Radio Free Europe, 30.10.2024)
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/srbija-izvestaj-evropska-komisija-eu/33179192.html
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