The Socialists and Democrats urge the European Commission and the High Representative Kaja Kallas to respond immediately to Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić’s attendance at Vladimir Putin’s parade in Moscow.
A red line has been crossed. There can be no more business as usual, warned the Group from the sidelines of the seminar on EU enlargement, taking place today in Ljubljana as part of the S&D Willy Brandt Programme for EU Enlargement.
Kathleen Van Brempt, S&D vice-president for EU enlargement, said:
“We are deeply concerned about the developments in Serbia, particularly the growing democratic backsliding under President Vučić and his government, marked by a crackdown on the rule of law and democracy. We urge the European Commission to take a firm stance.
“This week, students from Serbia ran from Novi Sad to Brussels to draw attention to their demands for transparency, accountability and the rule of law. These young people are asking for what we all want - a better future for Serbia. They are calling for what the European Commission and the EU as a whole have been asking Serbia to deliver since the start of its accession process.
“Yet, while the people of Serbia are calling for democracy and justice, their president chooses to stand beside Vladimir Putin at a military parade in Moscow. This is a blatant crossing of a red line. The EU cannot let this go unanswered. The High Representative made it clear: if Serbia’s president chooses Moscow over Europe, there must be consequences. It is time to act on that warning.
“There can be no more business as usual. The EU must immediately stop appeasing president Vučić. History has taught us that such an approach is ineffective - and dangerous. The EU appeased Putin for too long, and we are now all paying the price. Let us not repeat that same mistake with Vučić.”
Tonino Picula, S&D MEP and European Parliament’s rapporteur on Serbia, added:
“The European Parliament made it clear in its recent report on Serbia: accession negotiations should advance only if the country aligns with EU sanctions against Russia and makes significant progress on EU-related reforms.
“By attending Putin’s military parade, Serbia’s president once again showed blatant disregard for EU values and principles. Therefore, the S&D Group is calling on the European Commission to launch discussions on reviewing Serbia’s accession process. In its current state, the country cannot credibly move forward on the path to EU membership.
“In this context, it is also essential to highlight that our report on Serbia firmly rejects baseless allegations that the EU and some of its member states were involved in organising the student protests with the aim of triggering a ‘colour revolution’. These anti-EU narratives are fuelling declining public support for EU integration in Serbia and strengthening the influence of foreign autocratic actors in the country.
“The S&Ds further urge the Commission to exert pressure on Serbia’s ruling majority to fully and promptly implement the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission’s recommendations following the December 2023 elections. These reforms must be completed before any new elections take place. Free and fair elections are the foundation of any functioning democracy.”
Note to editors:
S&D vice-president for EU enlargement Kathleen Van Brempt and S&D MEP and European Parliament rapporteur on Serbia Tonino Picula conveyed these messages in a letter addressed to Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos.
Today, the Group continues its activities under the recently relaunched S&D Willy Brandt Programme for EU Enlargement, with a seminar in Ljubljana. The focus will be on political developments in Serbia and their implications for EU integration. The seminar is part of the broader Friends of the Western Balkans conference, taking place on 15-16 May in the Slovenian capital.
Our message is clear: we have always championed EU enlargement - Europe’s peace project. We believe that a credible merit-based enlargement process is an investment in peace, stability and shared prosperity across Europe.
