Investment: The EU is dedicated to Serbia’s integration as a stable, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

BELGRADE – Antonio Košta, the President of the European Council, stated today that all candidates seeking EU accession are subject to the same set of criteria. His visit to Serbia aimed to assist the country in achieving tangible outcomes and expediting its European integration. When questioned by reporters about the frequent introduction of new conditions in Serbia’s EU accession process, Košta clarified that the process is merit-based and uniformly applied to all candidate nations, as established by the Copenhagen criteria. “Countries may progress at different speeds. While we prefer a synchronized pace, that’s not always achievable. Not every nation is at the same stage in their accession journey, but we remain optimistic that those lagging may excel in the future. Meeting all criteria, clearly outlined in the Copenhagen criteria, is essential for EU membership,” Košta stated. He emphasized that the accession process is not dictated by Brussels; rather, it reflects the voluntary decision of nations aspiring to join the EU. “The European Commission is responsible for assessing how candidate countries meet the necessary requirements, and we proceed to open new clusters incrementally,” he added.

Košta highlighted that for Serbia to advance to the next accession cluster, President Vučić has outlined the required actions and their timeline. He expressed that now is the moment for Serbia to demonstrate progress in the EU accession framework and that the European Council must make a political decision to open the cluster as soon as possible. Košta underscored the importance of mutual trust, acknowledging that many in Serbia and the surrounding region have grown skeptical about the chances of successful integration, while there is also doubt among stakeholders in Brussels and other nations about these countries’ genuine commitment to joining the EU. “The only way to change this perception is through tangible results on both sides, resulting in a comprehensive and positive outcome. I am personally committed to utilizing all my resources to foster progress, build trust among candidate countries, the EU institutions, and the 27 member states,” he stated.

He stressed the necessity of maintaining a friendly dialogue, as not all parties share the same perspectives. “Addressing these differences requires open communication and mutual understanding, and that is my purpose here. Despite advice against my visit, I chose to come because addressing issues with Serbia and President Vučić isn’t about avoiding dialogue, but rather engaging in discussions to clarify differing viewpoints. Now we hear from him that Serbia is fully dedicated to its European trajectory and the accession process,” Košta remarked. On the topic of President Vučić’s visit to Moscow and its implications for Serbia’s European integration, Košta noted the importance of understanding the context of that visit. “As he clarified, it was a moment to commemorate a historical event. However, presently, Serbia is wholly committed to the EU accession process and recognizes the need for alignment in our common foreign and security policies,” Košta explained. He acknowledged that while Serbia can celebrate its historical liberation from 80 years ago, it is crucial to also condemn the current invasion of another country. “The European Union isn’t about history; it’s a collective endeavor for all member states to move past their historical conflicts, with a shared commitment to building a future together,” he emphasized, adding that the journey toward European unification began 75 years ago, just five years after World War II. “That’s why we are here today – to continue overcoming our difficult past and to write a new narrative for our future together. Collaborating with Serbia is vital, and we must keep in mind the concrete commitments made by both the President and the Serbian Government to achieve results in areas like media freedom, electoral laws, anti-corruption efforts, and other relevant legislation, which are crucial for opening Cluster 3,” Košta concluded. He urged that time should not be wasted, emphasizing the need to restore citizens’ faith in the accession process. (May 13)