In the annual enlargement package presented today, the European Commission finally seems to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation in Serbia. The country has been gripped by mass protests and escalating repression ever since the tragedy in Novi Sad a year ago, which claimed 16 lives. Yet the EU has so far remained a passive observer. The Socialists and Democrats welcome the shift in approach and urge the Commission to act swiftly upon its own analysis.
Kathleen Van Brempt, S&D vice-president for enlargement, said:
“We have always been the most vocal advocates of enlargement as Europe’s peace project and as an investment in stability, democracy, and prosperity. We are pleased to see that most key actors in the EU today share the sense of urgency about the importance of this process – as today’s enlargement package demonstrates.
“In this context, one of the most difficult challenges is the political crisis in Serbia. This is a test of the EU’s credibility. Will the EU remain true to its values and rules or will it keep turning a blind eye to autocratic President Aleksandar Vučić?
“Two weeks ago, the European Parliament adopted a strong resolution calling for action to support protesters’ demands for justice and democracy, and to hold Vučić’s authoritarian regime to account. Specifically, we are calling for targeted sanctions against those responsible for serious violations of law and of human rights in Serbia. We urge the Commission to heed these calls.
“At the same time, the EU must hold firm to its promise to those who are working hard to uphold European values and rules, carrying out difficult reforms. We congratulate Montenegro and Albania for showing the way as enlargement frontrunners, and we support their ambitious goals of being ready for EU membership by 2026 and 2027 respectively. Their success would undoubtedly serve as an incentive for other aspiring countries.
“While the aspiring countries are preparing for EU membership, the EU itself must also do its homework and get ready for enlargement. This means engaging in a thorough and frank discussion about internal reforms. It is disappointing that today’s package includes no proposals in this regard, and that the Commission once again postpones urgent debates instead of taking the lead and showing the way forward.”
Nacho Sánchez Amor, S&D spokesperson on foreign affairs, added:
“On enlargement methodology, it is important to stress the need to remove from our internal decision-making process those unanimity requirements that find no support in the Treaties.
“There is also some more positive news in today’s package. We welcome and share the Commission’s assessment of the progress made by Ukraine and Moldova, confirming both countries have done tremendous work on EU accession-related reforms and in meeting EU requirements. An achievement all the more remarkable given that Ukraine has been fighting Russia’s brutal and relentless war of aggression, while Moldova has been subjected to a hybrid war aimed at bringing the country back into Russia’s orbit. We believe that both countries are ready to open negotiation chapters.
“On the other hand, we denounce the fact that in Georgia, the ruling party has abandoned long-promised reforms and is establishing an authoritarian rule, despite ongoing daily demonstrations for over a year to secure a democratic and European future. We urge the Georgian authorities to return to the path of democratic and European reforms, and we will continue to support the people of Georgia in their legitimate aspirations for a democratic and European future of their country.
“As S&Ds, we reaffirm our commitment to an EU enlargement process that is firmly merit-based, dependant on genuine democratic reforms, and consistently applied to all candidate countries. In the case of Türkiye, it is important to insist that renewed geostrategic relevance and security reasons will not provide any shortcuts to EU membership, despite the Turkish government’s insistent narrative. While there have been limited improvements under the so-called 'terror-free Türkiye' process, the overall state of democracy and the rule of law continues to worsen, notably through the attacks on the main opposition party and the unlawful detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu".
