Vučić: We will review the EC report; Opening of Cluster 3 recommended

At the EU Enlargement Summit, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić told Euronews that Serbia will carefully examine the new European Commission report regarding the country. He was asked to comment on the report and the observation that Serbia appears to be held back again due to misalignment with EU foreign policy. Vučić responded that this is one of the issues, but the report also mentions other matters.

“They mention other things as well, that the media situation has worsened—I don’t know how. And some other points too. There are also positive things. Everything regarding the economy is good, regarding financial stability we are fine. We will review the report and respond to it. The head of the EU Delegation in Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, should officially hand it to me for a day when we return to Belgrade. We will have time to study it seriously. What is important to me is that the report recommends the opening of Cluster 3, and confirms that we have met the conditions for Cluster 3,” Vučić said.

He added that a decision on this is expected in about a month and a half.

“I think December 17, if I’m not mistaken. So there are fewer positive things. In any case, we are ready to review it and respond. But it is certainly true that for three and a half years, since the conflict in Ukraine began, we have not opened a single chapter, not a single cluster. I think it is clear to people that we are primarily talking about geopolitical issues,” Vučić said.

When asked if he believes Serbia can make progress without fully aligning with current EU policy, specifically without imposing sanctions on Russia, Vučić said that countries like Ukraine, Montenegro, and many others are ahead of Serbia, and Serbia would be ahead if it recognized Kosovo and imposed sanctions on Russia.

“We have not chosen that path. In politics, you make choices, and you cannot always get everything positive and good. You protect your country, your constitution, your territorial integrity, and choose your policy,” Vučić stated, emphasizing that Serbia’s policy is firm and that “we have nothing to complain about or cry over.”

He added, “If you think we would progress faster, it would be much easier if we recognized Kosovo’s independence or did whatever else, abandoning our people in Kosovo. I don’t even mean metaphorically. Then, if others come to power, they could change that policy, and progress would be very quick.”

Vučić also said Serbia will do everything possible to advance other reforms, particularly in Chapters 23 and 24 concerning the rule of law.

“I believe we can certainly make progress,” he concluded.