Opening cluster 3 in process European integration is not likely in the near future, and the main reason is the absence of essential reforms, the political and social crisis in the country and the relationship with Russia, including the announced visit of the President of Serbia to Moscow, reports Radio-Television of Serbia from Brussels.
Referring to the geopolitical momentum for the expansion of the European Union, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos says that Montenegro and Albania, which opened three negotiation clusters and a total of 19 negotiation chapters since October, could complete negotiations in the next two to three years and become EU members by the end of the mandate of the current commission in 2029, while Serbia is not included in such projections, according to RTS.
During her recent visit to Belgrade, Kos called on Serbia to implement the reforms necessary for the opening of negotiation cluster 3, that is, to implement the measures that Belgrade committed to in November last year in an informal paper delivered to the EU member states.
Failure to adopt the law and student protests
In that document, Serbia announced at the end of last year the adoption of three media laws, work on the voter list law, as well as the appointment of new members of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media.
Months of student and civil protests have become an unavoidable factor in the relations between Belgrade and Brussels, and on the eve of her visit to Belgrade, Kos declared that she is a "supporter of the protesters", stating that they demand the same as the European Commission.
"In the negotiations with Serbia, we demand the rule of law, the fight against corruption, public procurement, media legislation, election legislation. Without this, Serbia will not be able to progress towards the EU," said Kos.
Diplomatic sources state that the protests also affected the member countries' perspective on the opening of cluster 3, as many believe that such a decision would send the wrong message in the midst of a social and political crisis.
The relationship towards Russia is another key topic, which gained additional importance after the announced participation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at the Victory Day celebration on May 9 in Moscow, as well as the engagement of the Russian FSB security service for a report on the use of sound weapons at the demonstrations in Belgrade.
According to diplomatic sources, such events, and especially a possible visit to Moscow, are a red line for a large number of countries, after which discussion about cluster 3 becomes practically impossible.
"Going to Moscow is a step in the wrong direction"
Swedish Minister for Europe Jessica Rosenkranz announced that going to Moscow on May 9, instead of celebrating Europe Day, would be "a step in the wrong direction."
As she stated, accepting the current "Russian propaganda narrative" would be seen as a violation of EU values and the country's strategic direction.
"It is up to the Serbian leadership to show whether it is serious about joining the EU," announced Rosenkranz, who recently visited Belgrade.
The chairman of the committee for foreign policy of the European Parliament, David McAllister, did not want to comment on the possible consequences of Vučić's visit to Moscow, but he says that the Government of Serbia is aware of the need to harmonize foreign policy with the EU.
"Russia, and especially President Vladimir Putin, are responsible for the violent, brutal and illegal war aggression against Ukraine that has been going on for more than three years now. Everyone dealing with Putin should be aware of that," McAlister stressed.
For three years now, the European Commission has maintained its assessment that cluster 3 "Competition and inclusive growth" is technically ready for opening.
However, the Commission's optimism about its imminent opening has now been replaced by a much more reserved attitude.
"Words are no longer enough - Serbia must fulfill its promises"
EC Gret expansion director Jan Kompan said in December that he was convinced that cluster 3 would be opened very soon.
At the end of January, during a visit to Belgrade, Kopman assessed that Serbia is making "stable progress in key reforms".
Three months later, before arriving in Belgrade, Kos stated that fulfilling her obligations in recent months "wasn't good."
She stated that "words are no longer enough", but that Serbia should fulfill its promises.
"My visit is part of efforts to return Serbia to the European path," said Kos.
Sources in Brussels state that the European Commission has postponed the payment of the first tranche of 111 million euros from the EU Growth Plan, announced for the beginning of April.
It is a pre-financing of seven percent of the total amount, which is paid automatically at the beginning of the implementation of the Plan.
The sources estimate that there are no procedural obstacles to the payment, but that the delay can be seen as an attempt to influence Serbia to withdraw the expected reform and foreign policy moves.
Adnan Ćerimagić from the European Initiative for Stability believes that Brussels has recently articulated its demands much more clearly in relation to Belgrade, when it comes to the state of the media, electoral legislation or foreign policy.
He says that it remains to be seen whether this will lead to a significant impact on the events in Serbia.
"It is clear that in Brussels, as well as in the member countries, the attitude has recently been formed that things cannot progress further even on a technical level, until some political signals come from Serbia. This refers to the opening of the third cluster, as well as the implementation of the Reform Agenda from the Growth Plan and other offers such as membership in SEPA," says Ćerimagić.
Source: RTS
