On the eve of Euronews' EU Enlargement Summit, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić urged the EU to base membership criteria on merit, warning that shifting standards could hinder Serbia's reforms and progress.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić called for EU membership criteria based on merit rather than political alignment, stating that shifting goalposts could affect his country's reform momentum.
On the eve of Euronews' EU Enlargement Summit, Vučić said in a statement that Serbia's EU membership represents "improving the lives and opportunities of our citizens" by providing equal standards of living, market access and institutional stability comparable to member states like Germany or Austria.
"We expect fairness, honesty and transparency from the European Union," Vučić said, arguing Serbia's progress is often "judged not on technical merit but on political alignment."
Serbia aims to open the third negotiations cluster by year-end and continues preparing for EU membership despite domestic challenges, including student-led protests that began after a railway station awning collapsed in Novi Sad last November, killing 16.
"For Serbia, joining the EU means opening the door to a future where people can work, study, travel and build lives across Europe without barriers," Vučić said.
The president emphasised economic benefits of membership, including "access to a vast single market, fewer trade obstacles and stronger investor confidence" translating into "more jobs, higher salaries and greater opportunities for Serbian businesses to grow and compete on equal footing."
However, Vučić warned against inconsistent evaluation. "If the discussion is about Serbia's readiness to implement EU standards, let us be assessed objectively on that progress. If the conversation is political, then it should be treated as such," he said.
"Our motivation to reform cannot be sustained if the criteria for success constantly shift, or if we cannot be honest with each other on how we are being graded," he added.
'Serbia is firmly on the European path'
Vučić's comments reflect tensions from Brussels over Serbia's nominal policy of neutrality, which saw Belgrade balancing between EU aspirations and maintaining ties with Russia and China.
Vučić visited Moscow for military parade celebrations in May despite European Parliament criticism of Serbia's non-alignment with EU foreign policy, while also making his first visit to Ukraine earlier this year.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution in May criticising Serbia's lack of compliance with EU foreign policy, particularly regarding Russia's all-out war in Ukraine. Serbia has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow, while condemning the war of aggression in Ukraine.
Vučić told Euronews in August that "until I leave the place, Serbia will remain very firmly on EU path, committed and dedicated to that path, conducting and implementing necessary reforms." His presidential mandate ends in May 2027.
In his statement prior to the summit in Brussels on Tuesday, Vučić stressed that reforms must deliver concrete results.
"Serbia is firmly on the European path, committed to implementing the necessary reforms, not simply to 'open and close chapters,' but to ensure that each reform brings tangible benefits to the people of Serbia," he said.
He acknowledged Serbia faces unique challenges requiring EU understanding. "We also expect understanding of the specific realities of our economy and internal policies," he said, emphasising the need for "a process that is credible, consistent and fair."
"Economically, EU membership represents greater prosperity, more reliable institutions and stability," Vučić said. "It means access to innovation, technology and support that can accelerate our country's development."
Serbia became an EU candidate country in 2013 but accession talks have progressed slowly amid questions over reforms and regional issues. "Serbia remains committed to the European path, but we need a process that is credible, consistent and fair," Vučić concluded.