Serbia faces EU accession blockade as at least five member states oppose Chapter 3 opening

At least five European Union member states – the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden – are refusing to support the opening of Chapter 3 (competitiveness and inclusive growth) in Serbia's accession negotiations. The move blocks progress toward EU membership because unanimous approval is required for any chapter to open.

Officials cite concerns over the rule of law, ongoing corruption, human‑rights violations and Serbia’s failure to impose sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine invasion. The opposition describes the situation as having “reached a critical point” and warns it signals an unprecedented hurdle in Serbia’s European integration process.

The European Commission had previously judged Serbia to meet the conditions for opening Chapter 3 in 2021, but the dissenting states argue that the legal and democratic standards have since deteriorated.