European Parliament adopts harsh report on Serbia's EU accession progress

The European Parliament voted 468‑116‑79 to adopt a resolution describing Serbia’s progress toward EU membership as markedly stalled, with backsliding in the rule of law, media freedom and election standards. The report calls on the European Commission to halt future disbursements from the Instrument for Pre‑Accession Assistance and urges that the opening of negotiation Cluster 3 be blocked until credible reforms are achieved.

The resolution also criticises Serbia’s foreign‑policy orientation, noting deepening ties with Russia and China, hostile rhetoric toward neighbours such as Croatia, and alleged hate‑speech against minority groups. Serbian officials responded by highlighting a new Serbia‑Ukraine cooperation initiative, but EU observers said a single diplomatic event will not change the overall assessment.

Expert Vladimir Međak added that under President Aleksandar Vučić’s rule, which he says lacks independent media, fair elections and rule of law, Serbia cannot realistically join the EU. The report therefore underscores the EU’s demand for concrete democratic reforms before any further financial or negotiation steps.