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The permanent representatives of the EU member states, at their meeting in Brussels today, have not reached an agreement on opening Chapter 3 in the process of Serbia's accession negotiations. At least nine member states have categorically opposed this decision. Decisions on this step, as well as for every step in the enlargement process, are taken only with the consent of all member states.
According to diplomatic sources, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Croatia, Bulgaria, the three Baltic countries; Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, and with reservations, several other countries were against it.
Serbia has not opened any chapters in the accession negotiations process since the end of 2021. The European Commission had recommended opening this group of chapters, underlining that Serbia has fulfilled the necessary criteria. In an "information note", the Commission, among other things, also evaluates Serbia's engagement in the dialogue process with Kosovo.
" The Commission can inform the Council that Serbia continues to engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue, as confirmed by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue," says the document that the European Commission has sent to member states, where it puts pressure on member states to open new chapters in the negotiation process with a very positive tone for Serbia. Serbia has not opened any chapters for four years.
Dialogue with Kosovo, alongside the rule of law, is a prerequisite for Serbia's overall progress in the accession negotiations process. In this letter, the European Commission also positively assesses the reforms that Serbia has made in the field of media, judiciary and in alignment with foreign policy. This letter from the Commission has been criticized by some member states because they believe that it does not reflect the reality in Serbia.
The European Commission's recommendation to open new chapters with Serbia was confirmed in a debate in the European Parliament by Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.
"At a time when other countries are making progress in the accession process, we do not want Serbia to be left behind. For this reason, in light of some recent positive developments, the Commission has reiterated its recommendation to the Council to open Chapter 3 in the accession negotiations with Serbia," Kos said.
The European Parliament has a completely different view of Serbia's fulfillment of the criteria than the European Commission, and has even demanded that funds be withheld due to problems with the rule of law. The European Parliament has also criticized Serbia for its relations with Kosovo. Tonino Piculla, the European Parliament's rapporteur for Serbia, has also spoken about this.
" Instead of opening and closing negotiation chapters, the Serbian government is opening new dilemmas and creating new tensions with its neighbors. We cannot talk about progress in the dialogue with Kosovo if those responsible for the terrorist attack in Banjska are not brought to justice. We, as the European Parliament, must be steadfast in our commitment to respecting values and rules. We cannot remain silent in the face of the regression in the rule of law, the erosion of democratic standards and the destructive impact on the stability of the region," said Piculla.
The European Parliament has also criticized Serbia for continuing to strengthen relations with Russia and for pressuring the media. The resolution criticizing Serbia was adopted in the European Parliament with 468 votes in favor, 116 against and 79 abstentions.
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