By the end of 2027, Serbia is expected to receive €1.58 billion in support from the European Union. This funding follows the Serbian Parliament’s adoption of the Reform Agenda, which was approved by the European Commission earlier this week. Serbian Minister for European Integration Tanja Miščević, EU Ambassador to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret, and Bojana Selaković, Coordinator of the National Convention on the European Union, presented the Western Balkans Growth Plan and outlined the details of this “ambitious agenda” to the media.
The Reform Agenda: A Path Forward
Minister Miščević clarified that while Serbia’s EU integration process has not been halted, the country has not opened a single negotiation chapter in three years.
"If the integration process were entirely blocked, we wouldn’t be discussing judicial reform or the Reform Agenda. Now is the time to open Cluster 3 so that negotiations can continue, proving that we have the capacity and knowledge to proceed," she explained.
Ambassador Giaufret emphasised that 50% of the EU’s funding will be allocated to infrastructure projects, including regional cooperation with other Western Balkan countries, while the remaining 50% will go directly into Serbia’s budget.
"This is a clear signal that EU enlargement is back at the top of the agenda. In light of the war in Ukraine, Europe has reassessed its priorities and recognised the need for enlargement not just in the east, but also in the Western Balkans," he stated.
Rule of Law as the Foundation
The speakers agreed that without the rule of law, there can be no socio-economic progress. Serbia’s focus in the coming period will include drafting a law on a unified electoral register, a process being undertaken in consultation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
"This demonstrates our commitment to prioritise these issues because one of the Serbian government’s key goals is EU membership, and within the EU, the rule of law is always paramount," Miščević added.
This commitment encompasses free and fair elections, media freedom, progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, and other issues outlined in Chapters 23 and 24. The Reform Agenda extends until the end of 2027, with the first tranche of pre-financing expected to amount to €112 million. Serbia will have access to the total €1.58 billion in grants and loans only after meeting the specified requirements.
Seven Key Measures
- The Reform Agenda outlines seven key measures that Serbia must focus on by the end of 2023. These include:
- Improving electoral conditions and voter lists
- Reforming the REM (Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media) council
- Aligning national laws with the EU’s directive on audio-visual services
- Further harmonising the visa regime
- Strengthening anti-corruption measures
- Enhancing cybersecurity and securing 5G networks
By the end of 2024, Serbia must amend its laws on electronic media and public information, adopt a new Public Media Services Law, implement the Anti-Corruption Strategy Action Plan, and harmonise its visa regime with the EU for three additional countries.
Verification and Accountability
Minister Miščević stressed that reforms must be verified:
"It’s not enough to say we’ve implemented reforms. Verification lies with the European Commission. Only after the Commission confirms that we’ve fulfilled all stated reforms can we access the first tranche of EU assistance," she said.
The minister described the agenda as highly ambitious:
"While we don’t have a specific EU accession date, we are adhering to our commitments. By mid-2027, Serbia will be fully aligned with EU laws in areas such as competition and state aid, which historically were among the last obligations fulfilled by candidate countries before joining the EU."
What Will Serbian Citizens Gain?
Ambassador Giaufret highlighted that the goal is to accelerate reforms in Serbia and the wider Western Balkans, fostering economic growth and reducing the economic gap between the region and the EU. Access to the EU’s single market, for instance, would improve both business operations and daily life.
"To illustrate, sending €200 from Germany to Serbia currently incurs a fee of around €27. As part of the single market, this fee would drop to just €2. Additionally, we aim to reduce border waiting times for trucks, which currently impose significant costs on both European and Serbian companies. The objective is for citizens to experience the benefits of EU membership even before formal accession," he explained.
Perspectives from Civil Society
Bojana Selaković, representing civil society, acknowledged challenges in drafting the Reform Agenda, citing tight deadlines but expressing optimism.
"While we are not entirely satisfied, we understand the shared responsibility. We’ve collaborated with members of the Serbian Parliament’s European Integration Committee, reviewed the agenda, and offered suggestions. Although not all recommendations were adopted, we expect greater inclusion in the next stages of monitoring and implementation," she said.
Selaković added that despite some criticisms, the agenda’s content is undeniably beneficial to citizens: "This is a significant boost from the EU and a strong message we’ve long awaited. The enlargement process is not just necessary for candidate countries like Serbia but also for the EU itself. The aim is to integrate the Western Balkans fully into the EU as soon as possible," she concluded.