Commissioner for enlargement of the European Commission Marta Kos speaks during a press conference after talks with Serbia’s Prime Minister Djuro Macut in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Commissioner for enlargement of the European Commission Marta Kos speaks during a press conference after talks with Serbia’s Prime Minister Djuro Macut in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Commissioner for enlargement of the European Commission Marta Kos speaks during a press conference after talks with Serbia’s Prime Minister Djuro Macut in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbia’s Prime Minister Djuro Macut listens to Commissioner for enlargement of the European Commission Marta Kos during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbia’s Prime Minister Djuro Macut speaks during a press conference after talks with Commissioner for enlargement of the European Commission Marta Kos in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbia’s Prime Minister Djuro Macut speaks during a press conference after talks with Commissioner for enlargement of the European Commission Marta Kos in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
EU enlargement commissioner urges Serbia to push forward reform, says protesting citizens want same
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) 鈥 The European Union’s enlargement commissioner on Tuesday urged Serbia’s new government to push forward democratic reforms needed for membership in the bloc, saying that the Balkan nation’s protesting citizens have been seeking similar changes.
Commissioner for enlargement of the European Commission Marta Kos speaks during a press conference after talks with Serbia’s Prime Minister Djuro Macut in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) 鈥 The European Union’s enlargement commissioner on Tuesday urged Serbia’s new government to push forward democratic reforms needed for membership in the bloc, saying that the Balkan nation’s protesting citizens have been seeking similar changes.
Marta Kos spoke after meeting Serbia’s new Prime Minister Djuro Macut, a political novice who took office earlier this month facing monthslong anti-corruption demonstrations that killed 16 people in November.
Many in Serbia blamed the crash in the northern city of Novi Sad on alleged rampant corruption in the government’s infrastructure deals with China, which, along with Russia, is a close ally of Belgrade despite its formal intention to join the EU. The have been demanding justice for the victims and the rule of law in the country firmly led by ruling populists.
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Kos said that the EU has a 鈥渙nce in a generation opportunity to complete the unification of Europe” and wants to embrace Serbia and But she said Serbia must first reform the judiciary in order to fight corruption, ensure freedom of the press and free and fair elections.
鈥淲ithout these changes Serbia cannot progress in the European path and I know that what we are asking for is very close to the demands of the citizens who are and were protesting on the streets of Serbia,鈥 Kos said. 鈥淎 democratic Serbia inside the European Union is possible and it is what citizens of Serbia ask for and deserve.”
Kos also met Tuesday with Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic, who has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms, including In the latest incident on Monday in Novi Sad, police used batons and pepper spray while pushing protesters away from a sports faculty building. Several people were injured.
鈥淚 stressed our full readiness to speed up the reform,” Vucic said in a statement posted on social media, expressing hope that Serbia will 鈥渦se the existing momentum and open a new phase in the process of European integration.鈥
Western Balkan countries are in different phases of accession. Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022 encouraged for the countries to join the bloc, fearing instability.
Many pro-democracy Serbs, however, are disappointed with what they view as the EU鈥檚 lukewarm response to Vucic鈥檚 increasingly authoritarian ways. A group of , while others are currently to draw the EU鈥檚 attention to their struggle for justice and the rule of law in Serbia.
鈥淚 am going to support Serbia and its citizens in their European aspirations,” Kos said. “And we expect and hope that the government of Serbia will do its part too.鈥
