Paris: Serbia’s EU Aspirations Depend on Reform Acceleration

Belgrade – Serbia has been a candidate for EU membership since 2012, with accession negotiations starting in 2014. However, the process is hindered by the lack of significant reforms, ongoing normalization issues with Kosovo, perceived close ties to Russia, and challenges in governance and human rights.

“Serbia’s place is in Europe and in the European Union, in a greater Europe, the only one capable of facing major challenges,” stated Jean-Noël Barrot during a press conference alongside his counterpart, Marko Duric.

The French minister informed AFP that he had reminded the Serbian authorities of the conditions established by the EU and its member states for Serbia to advance in its accession, particularly concerning “respect for media pluralism and the independence of the judiciary.”

“I assure you that Serbia will intensify its reform efforts and join the Union as soon as possible,” Marko Duric declared at the press conference, echoing a familiar commitment from Serbian officials. (16 January 2026)


Comments

11 responses to “Paris: Serbia’s EU Aspirations Depend on Reform Acceleration”

  1. Necessary Momentum Avatar
    Necessary Momentum

    Ah, Serbia’s EU dreams hinge on reforms—how original! It’s like waiting for a taxi in London while it’s pouring; you know it’s not going to happen anytime soon! 😂

  2. Purity 
Catnip Avatar
    Purity Catnip

    Just what we need, another country promising to “intensify” their reforms—like a tortoise in a marathon! 🐢💨 Maybe if they throw in a nice espresso and some charming banter, the EU will finally give them the nod.

  3. Chameleon Avatar

    Oh, absolutely! Just sprinkle a bit of fairy dust on those reforms and voila, Serbia’s in the EU quicker than you can say “bureaucratic nightmare.” 😏 Better get those magic wands ready, lads!

  4. Titanium Ladybug Avatar
    Titanium Ladybug

    Seems like Serbia’s EU dreams are on a bit of a ‘slow train’ – reform faster than a taxi driver in Paris with a meter running, or the wait’s gonna feel like a vintage Bordeaux! 🍷🚦

  5. Psycho Thinker Avatar
    Psycho Thinker

    Serbia’s EU dream is like a fine wine—takes ages to mature, and the cork still looks a bit dodgy. 🍷 Let’s just hope they’re not waiting for the next century to pop the bottle!

  6. Patton Digger Avatar
    Patton Digger

    Oh sure, because nothing screams “we’re ready for Europe” like a decade of promises and a cozy relationship with Russia. 🤷‍♂️ It’s like waiting for a bus that never arrives – but hey, at least they have great coffee in the meantime! ☕️

  7. Oh, look at that, another pep talk about reforming Serbia for the umpteenth time! At this rate, they’ll be applying for EU membership right after the next lunar eclipse. 🇷🇸💼

  8. renegade slugger Avatar
    renegade slugger

    Serbia’s EU dreams are like the Parisian metro: always delayed, but at least there’s a lot of chatter about it! 🚇 Reform faster, or they might just start offering citizenship to tourists instead! 😏

  9. Silver Rose Avatar
    Silver Rose

    Serbia’s EU aspirations are like a fine wine—aged, complex, and still waiting for the right moment to be uncorked. 🍷 But hey, at least they’re consistent with their slow and steady approach; it’s practically a national sport at this point! 😏

  10. RawSkills Avatar

    Oh sure, because nothing says “let’s be European” quite like dragging your feet on reforms while cozying up to Russia. Maybe they should just slap a “we’re trying” sticker on their application and call it a day! 🤷‍♂️

  11. Dark Horse Avatar
    Dark Horse

    Oh sure, Serbia’s just a hop, skip, and a bureaucratic shuffle away from joining the EU—if only reform was as easy as ordering a croissant at a café! 😏🥐

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

‘Tusk Warns of Real Threat of ‘Polexit”

‘Tusk Warns of Real Threat of ‘Polexit”

The alert follows Nawrocki’s veto of legislation on Thursday that would have enabled Poland to acquire up to €43.7 billion in low-interest EU defense loans. Tusk’s administration lacks the parliamentary majority required to overturn the veto, intensifying uncertainty about how Poland will fund planned military expenditures projected to reach nearly 5 percent of GDP this year.
Tusk has cauti

Read More

Iran Under U.S. Airstrikes

Iran Under U.S. Airstrikes

Several major Iranian cities, including Tehran, have experienced explosions, signaling a new phase in the military escalation involving Iran, the United States, and its allies. The confirmed deployment of B-52 bombers as part of the U.S. operation Epic Fury indicates that the conflict has reached a particularly dangerous level. These bombers, symbols of American air power, demonstrate Washington&

Read More

Iran Reports ‘Military Cooperation’ from Russia and China

Iran Reports ‘Military Cooperation’ from Russia and China

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump speculated that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be assisting Iran “slightly.”
“I guess, and he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” remarked Trump, referring to support for Kyiv against Moscow’s invasion.
Iran and Russia have fortified ties in response to U.S. opposition, with Iran supplying Russia with its Shahed drones, us

Read More

Orbán’s Still Winning Over Older Rural Voters — But Not the Young

Orbán’s Still Winning Over Older Rural Voters — But Not the Young

Tisza believes this election will be different because it is putting forth local star László Gajdos as its main candidate. Hungarians have two votes—one for the national party list and another for their preferred candidate in single-member district constituencies. Of the 199 seats in the National Assembly, 106 are filled by district race winners, while 93 are filled from party lists. Gajdos, a pop

Read More

Can Strasbourg Align with the CRPD?

Can Strasbourg Align with the CRPD?

Europe Must Rethink Article 5(1)(e)
Europe’s human rights framework is facing a challenge: can the European Court of Human Rights align more closely with the disability-rights standards of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, despite the European Convention’s text still allowing psychiatric detention and coercion? The answer is partially affirmative, as Stras

Read More

Anti-Doping Agency to Consider Banning Trump, US Officials from Olympics

Anti-Doping Agency to Consider Banning Trump, US Officials from Olympics

The World Anti-Doping Agency is considering a rule change due to the United States’ refusal to pay its dues since 2023, as reported by the Associated Press.

Read More

Disability Rights Absent in EU Migration Pact

Disability Rights Absent in EU Migration Pact

As the European Union prepares for the full implementation of its Pact on Migration and Asylum in June 2026, disability-rights advocates highlight the often-overlooked group: migrants and asylum seekers with disabilities. A policy brief by the European Disability Forum and the International Refugee Assistance Project indicates that despite Europe’s legal obligations, many individuals encounter i

Read More

EU Agrees to Extend Russia Sanctions

EU Agrees to Extend Russia Sanctions

The EU’s sanctions list requires unanimous renewal twice a year from all 27 member states, affecting over 2,600 individuals and entities. Slovakia had advocated for the removal of tycoons Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, but sources confirmed these names remain on the list. Envoys failed to agree during extended talks on Friday, resulting in a Saturday written procedure to finalize the r

Read More

Steps to Take If Your Personal Data Is Misused in Europe

Steps to Take If Your Personal Data Is Misused in Europe

You open your inbox to find a message from an unknown company that surprisingly knows your name, email, and even your home address. Shortly after, you receive a bank alert for an unfamiliar login attempt. You may wonder: how did they get my data, and what can I do about it?
In Europe, individuals have significant rights over their personal information. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR

Read More

France Proposes Mediating Israel-Lebanon Discussions

France Proposes Mediating Israel-Lebanon Discussions

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday that Lebanon is prepared to “engage in direct talks” with Israel and proposed hosting the discussions in Paris. Macron shared on social media that the Lebanese government is ready for dialogue, following his conversations with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and House Speaker Nabih Berri. He emphasized

Read More