Annual European Commission Report presented; Vučić: "The European path is a strategic choice for us"

Andreas von Beckerath handed President Vučić the European Commission’s Annual Report on Serbia’s progress, after which the two held a meeting at the Palace of Serbia.

Vučić’s address

"I am very pleased to have received the European Commission’s annual report on the situation in Serbia today. You said it is a mirror — I would say it is your perspective — but I am grateful for everything you have said today. It is important for our citizens to hear directly from you what the EU expects from us.

I will focus on one area that is extremely important to us. We consider Kosovo and Metohija to be our territory, based on international law, while you said that all obligations from 2023 must be fulfilled. Before that, I am sure the EU also wants to see the implementation of what was signed even earlier — in 2013.

But I believe that, in the end, this will happen," Vučić stated.

Speaking about Banjska, the President said he hopes that all those responsible for the events in which Serbs were killed and arrested since 2008 will be brought to justice.

“I am grateful for all the analyses, and I accept that we have not been good enough in the field of geopolitics. As you yourself said, we have a problem with expression. I don’t yet know what words against government officials we haven’t heard in the media, which in the West they would never be allowed to say. But I won’t go into that—my heart and my mind won’t let me lie, so I will shorten my speech. Serbia will continue reforms; we will work hard and diligently. The European path is a strategic choice for us, and this will not change until the end of my mandate,” Vučić said.

He stated that Serbia is in a more difficult position than other countries because of the Kosovo and Metohija issue.

“Our position is not easy, but I believe it is good for Serbia that it is on the European path. Regarding reforms, we will try to accelerate them. I accept all kinds of responsibility; I will look back at myself in old age and try to hold my tongue more often. Thank you for your personal engagement and for everything you have changed, but also for showing immense determination. Without your participation, we would not have concluded the story regarding REM and the voter list. Once again, I thank you for the report,” the President concluded.

Milos Tesic/ATAImages

Vučić added that Serbia values the support of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the substantial financial assistance received through EU support packages.

“We also value EU investments. I believe there is still much we can do, and I am convinced that significant and major reforms in the judiciary and the rule of law are necessary for us—even if we do not always see them the same way. But that is probably democracy. In any case, I agree that reforms are needed. I also believe that people in the government can work more convincingly, except for myself, as I accept that I am responsible when it comes to rhetoric and narrative,” he emphasized.

The President highlighted that he has often held his tongue to avoid saying inappropriate things.

“I said that I would only speak positively about the EU, and for other matters, I said I would hold my tongue—even counting to 500. You in the EU don’t need to worry too much; my term will end soon, and someone more charming and polite, who knows how to address people better than me, will come. To everyone who thinks Europe is not our path, I can only say this—yes, our strategic path is the EU, and after the elections, it will be up to the people to decide. To be honest, I don’t know where else we would go. We are in a more difficult position than others, due to various historical factors, and because most EU members consider our territory not to be ours,” he added.

Vučić stressed that Serbia will try to accelerate reforms and that he accepts full responsibility.

“I am most responsible for the narrative. I will look back at myself in old age and try to hold my tongue more often. Thank you for your personal engagement and for everything you have changed because you fought every day. You have shown determination, a desire for change, and a will for the country to progress. As I said, I am endlessly grateful for that; it shows your goodwill and your desire for Serbia to advance. Thank you for the report—we will take it seriously into consideration,” the President concluded.

Address by the EU Ambassador to Serbia

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“The European Commission’s report on Serbia’s progress comes at a crucial moment. Enlargement is indeed a geopolitical imperative; the EU is already preparing for it, and this will soon be reflected in the so-called pre-accession review by the EC. Only genuine reforms can bring candidate countries to their goal. The path to membership is based on reforms and the rule of law. Today’s report serves to assess where Serbia stands on its European path,” Beckerath said.

He emphasized that the report is not a critical document, but rather highlights where progress has been made and where further work is needed.

“The main conclusion is that the pace of reforms has slowed, but certain positive developments over the past year are acknowledged,” the EU Ambassador to Serbia stated.

He also paid tribute to all those who contributed to areas where progress has been achieved, including the government, the opposition, and civil society.

Von Beckerath stated that Serbia must revive the spirit of dialogue.

“Serbia continues to declare EU membership as a strategic goal. We take that seriously. Now is the time to support it with concrete actions. The Serbian authorities must avoid anti-EU rhetoric, and the EU expects a proactive approach,” he added.

The EU Ambassador to Serbia again specifically highlighted the rule of law and media freedom, emphasizing that the EU is ready to continue supporting Serbia.

“The pace of progress is determined by Serbia itself. I hope that work on the voter list and the composition of REM will help overcome divisions,” von Beckerath said.

Questions from journalists

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When asked by journalists about reporting on N1 television, where a reporter spoke about arming and disarming, as well as insults made by the RTS editor toward dissenters, Beckerath responded:

“You are correct. One of the areas highlighted in the report, where further progress and urgent measures are needed, is freedom of expression. The reason for this assessment is that we believe there must be a change in the media environment,” Beckerath said.

President Vučić responded to the same questions by stating that he sees everything contrary to what Ambassador Beckerath said:

“I will not comment further. Just translate for him the cheering from last night—it is supposedly the pinnacle of political thought of the highly educated elite in Serbia, broadcast without restraint in all media. There is the largest concentration of capital, fighting over who robbed whom, everything concentrated. Maybe the EU thinks of that. Probably not, but I do. And no one will take that right from me”, the President said.

He also added that he has never sued any journalist or editor who wrote negative things about him.

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Answering questions from N1 journalists, the President clarified that he did not call their journalists criminals, but their owner.

“That is a well-known fact. But fine, everyone wants me to be silent rather than speak the truth. You don’t even have the basic courtesy to listen to me. So, I think he is a notorious criminal, and I see that other people who have worked with him also think he is a criminal. That’s why they sue him. And I think everyone is right when they speak about others. The only mistake you made is thinking I am even concerned with you. Every nasty or vile word you say works in my favor because people see it. Thank you for that, and we never prevent you from anything. And we have never interfered with who your editor is,” he said.

When asked by Pink TV, he added that it is his duty to endure this type of insults.

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“I will always call for dialogue. That language of insults speaks of their weakness and lack of political ideas. Once again, I call on Hrka and Mrdić to end their hunger strike, for the sake of their health. It is important to open the possibility for conversation; even if people argue for 10 or 15 hours, that is always better than one side shooting at someone. We offer dialogue, and why someone avoids it is another matter,” Vučić said.

Ambassador von Beckerath, when asked why he did not condemn the shooting in front of the Parliament, stated that he has always condemned violence and encouraged dialogue.

“I wish a speedy recovery to the injured person. And let me repeat: violence is not the way forward. The only way forward is to calm the rhetoric to create space for dialogue. I have repeated this several times. I believe that European reforms concerning the rule of law, anti-corruption measures, and media freedom are all at the center of the reform agenda. If we bring together both the government and the opposition, I think this can lead to greater trust in Serbian society. Trust is urgently needed in Serbia today,” the ambassador said.

Von Beckerath also stated that there are no new conditions from the EU for Serbia, and that Serbia can achieve rapid progress.

“This is a wonderful country with enormous potential. It is the largest and wealthiest country in the Western Balkans, and we want to see it in the EU,” the ambassador said.

He also explained why the EU report does not mention the RTS blockade specifically, citing limited space for detailed references:

“The public media service plays a very important role in providing independent news to citizens, and like all other journalists, they must be able to perform their important work without interference or threats. We do not separate independent journalists from other media. This is about creating an enabling environment that applies to everyone, not just individual journalists. I am often asked about specific incidents, but we speak about the overall media environment and ensuring that all journalists can do their work,” von Beckerath said.