Von der Leyen reminds Serbia that it must align with sanctions against Russia to join EU

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reminded Serbia that synchronising foreign policy, including adopting sanctions against Russia, is a requirement for EU accession.

As reported by Serbian news channel N1, Vučić noted that since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Serbia has not opened any negotiating clusters with the EU, although he believes some reforms have been made.

He claimed that comments about Serbia joining the EU by 2025 were made when other people were at the helm of the European Commission, but it turned out no one took them seriously.

"We will try to carry out what is called the reform agenda, and I hope we will have support from the European Union for all this and that we will be heard in Brussels. It is not always easy, and it is not entirely simple to fully present this to people here," he said during a meeting with von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen replied that now is the time for Serbia to take concrete steps towards EU membership.

"My first point is that we need to see progress on the rule of law, the electoral framework and media freedom… They [the necessary reforms] are worth the effort, because they move you closer to your goal and they also provide cornerstones for a more stable and peaceful society. In this context, I welcome the recent progress made on the unified voter register as well as the REM Council… Of course, now implementation is key and this is why I would like to invite you to come to Brussels in about a month's time to take stock together," she said.

She also said she expects greater coordination in Serbia's foreign policy, including on sanctions against Russia: "I commend you for reaching 61% of alignment with our foreign policy, but more is needed."

In the context of sanctions, von der Leyen said that the EU wants to see a reliable partner in Serbia.

Earlier this autumn, Vučić, at a meeting with Kremlin head Vladimir Putin, complained that Serbia was "in a difficult situation" because of the war Russia has unleashed against Ukraine.

In summer, Nemanja Starović, Serbia's Minister for European Integration, said his country will support EU sanctions against Russia if Serbia's EU membership is in sight.

Serbia remains the only European country, other than Belarus, that has refused to impose sanctions against Russia.