EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos in Brussels on Tuesday presented the European Commission’s annual Enlargement Package, its report on the progress of EU candidate countries, which contained strong criticism for Serbia but praise for its Balkan neighbour Montenegro.
“In Serbia, the authorities continue to declare EU membership as their strategic goal but the actual pace of implementation of reforms has slowed down significantly. While some recent positive developments are noted, Serbia needs to deliver on credible reforms, most importantly in the area of fundamentals,” Kos said.
She said that in order to progress towards membership, Serbia needs “urgently reverse the backsliding on freedom of expression, on freedom of academia, as well as ensure progress on the electoral framework”.
She added that Serbian politicains needs to curb hostile rhetoric against the EU and the European Parliament, saying that disinformation about the EU being behind the current anti-government protests in the country could cost Serbia dear.
“I can’t hear any more politicians from Serbia accusing the EU of standing behind what’s happening in Serbia. I will fight so that this disinformation stops. Otherwise, there will be consequences,” she said during the debate that followed the presentation of the Enlargement Package.
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In contrast to her tough words for Serbia, Kos said Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine had made “significant advances on the EU path”, adding that Montenegro “could be the first [of them] in the EU.
“Montenegro is the most advanced and has made significant progress towards EU accession, and it is at the same time, the most prepared country,” Kos said.
Albania has also made clear progress in harmonising its laws with the EU’s body of legislation over the past year, she added.
“This outstanding result is a clear recognition of the firm political commitment of Albania and the clear EU aspirations of its society – 91 per cent of citizens are supporting EU membership,” she said.
Regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kos noted that it faced political tensions and a stalemate in the reform process. However, on September 25, Bosnia submitted its reform agenda to the Commission, following recent changes in the Serb-led Republika Srpska entity.
“The country now has an opportunity to progress on its EU path with, in the first place, the adoption of judicial reform laws and a department of chief negotiator,” Kos said.
She noted that North Macedonia had kept its full alignment with EU foreign policy but “has not taken decisive steps to advance in the accession negotiations process over the last year”. Required constitutional amendments have not been adopted yet.
Kosovo, meanwhile, remained committed to its European future, Kos said. “But progress was stalled by domestic politics, notably by elections [in February] and a protracted political deadlock afterwards.” Kosovo still does not have a government, nearly nine months on.
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