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The European Parliament’s annual Report on Serbia adopted on 7 July reflects the realities on the ground and acknowledges many of the concerns that civil society organisations have consistently documented and raised over the years. It confirms that the voices of citizens, journalists, academics, activists and independent organisations are heard in the European Parliament. The Parliament sends a resounding message: Serbia's EU path cannot advance without credible progress on democratic reforms and respect for the Union's fundamental values.
The report also reinforces an essential principle: EU enlargement must remain a merit-based process. Progress cannot be measured through political declarations alone, but through genuine implementation of reforms, respect for democratic institutions and tangible improvements in the rule of law. At a time when the credibility of the enlargement process is under increased scrutiny, this message is particularly significant. Equally important is the Parliament's strong emphasis on accountability in the use of EU funds and full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
The report reiterates that financial support under the Reform and Growth Facility should remain conditional on concrete progress in democracy, the rule of law, media freedom and electoral standards. Furthermore, it calls for EU funding to be redirected towards supporting judicial reforms, anti-corruption efforts, independent media, civil society organisations and the independent cultural sector where necessary. By doing so, the Parliament underlines that EU financial assistance must reinforce democratic reforms, not subsidise continued democratic backsliding.
Serbia's EU path cannot advance without credible progress on democratic reforms and respect for the Union's fundamental values.
The report also reinforces an essential principle: EU enlargement must remain a merit-based process. Progress cannot be measured through political declarations alone, but through genuine implementation of reforms, respect for democratic institutions and tangible improvements in the rule of law. At a time when the credibility of the enlargement process is under increased scrutiny, this message is particularly significant. Equally important is the Parliament's strong emphasis on accountability in the use of EU funds and full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
The report reiterates that financial support under the Reform and Growth Facility should remain conditional on concrete progress in democracy, the rule of law, media freedom and electoral standards. Furthermore, it calls for EU funding to be redirected towards supporting judicial reforms, anti-corruption efforts, independent media, civil society organisations and the independent cultural sector where necessary. By doing so, the Parliament underlines that EU financial assistance must reinforce democratic reforms, not subsidise continued democratic backsliding.
Civil society recognised as a pillar of democracy
The report also recognises that independent civil society, investigative journalists, academics and human rights defenders have become some of the most important guardians of democratic accountability in Serbia.
At a time when independent organisations in Serbia face increasing intimidation, smear campaigns, police raids, funding restrictions and political pressure, the European Parliament underlines that a vibrant civil society is essential for democratic governance and meaningful EU accession. The report calls on Serbian authorities to ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society, refrain from actions that undermine its independence, and guarantee meaningful participation of CSOs in policymaking, including the EU integration process.
This recognition is particularly significant given the sustained attacks against democracy defenders over the past year.
At a time when independent organisations in Serbia face increasing intimidation, smear campaigns, police raids, funding restrictions and political pressure, the European Parliament underlines that a vibrant civil society is essential for democratic governance and meaningful EU accession. The report calls on Serbian authorities to ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society, refrain from actions that undermine its independence, and guarantee meaningful participation of CSOs in policymaking, including the EU integration process.
This recognition is particularly significant given the sustained attacks against democracy defenders over the past year.
Many recommendations remain unchanged
A comparison with last year's European Parliament report demonstrates that many of the key concerns in Serbia remain unresolved. Rather than celebrating progress, this year's report repeats, and in several areas strengthens, recommendations made in 2025. The persistence of these recommendations illustrates not only a lack of reform but also continued democratic deterioration in several key areas.
Among the most notable recurring issues are:
Among the most notable recurring issues are:
Serbia’s role in the Western Balkans region
The European Parliament reiterates that Serbia's democratic backsliding is not only a domestic concern but increasingly a regional one.
The report expresses concern over Serbia's attempts to establish a sphere of influence in the Western Balkans and condemns activities that undermine the sovereignty of neighbouring countries. It warns against narratives such as the so-called ‘Serbian World’, describing them as incompatible with the principles of good neighbourly relations and the EU accession process.
The Parliament also condemns the repeated use of inflammatory rhetoric by Serbian political leaders towards neighbouring countries, including Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania and Bulgaria, as well as continued historical revisionism, denial of war crimes, and support for convicted war criminals. It reiterates that regional reconciliation, respect for neighbours' sovereignty and constructive engagement in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue remain indispensable conditions for Serbia's European path.
Compared to last year's report, the language is notably stronger. While the 2025 report already condemned Serbia's attempts to establish a sphere of influence and its inflammatory rhetoric towards neighbours, this report strengthens its assessment by:
The Parliament also condemns the repeated use of inflammatory rhetoric by Serbian political leaders towards neighbouring countries, including Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania and Bulgaria, as well as continued historical revisionism, denial of war crimes, and support for convicted war criminals. It reiterates that regional reconciliation, respect for neighbours' sovereignty and constructive engagement in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue remain indispensable conditions for Serbia's European path.
Compared to last year's report, the language is notably stronger. While the 2025 report already condemned Serbia's attempts to establish a sphere of influence and its inflammatory rhetoric towards neighbours, this report strengthens its assessment by:
This is politically significant because the Parliament is framing Serbia's shortcomings not only as a failure to implement domestic reforms, but as a challenge to the security and stability of the wider Western Balkans and, by extension, the European Union itself. The report leaves little doubt that regional stability, good neighbourly relations and alignment with the EU's foreign and security policy are now viewed as inseparable from Serbia's accession prospects.
Democracy reforms can no longer be postponed
The fact that many of these recommendations have been repeated for a second consecutive year demonstrates that Serbia's most pressing democratic challenges remain unresolved. In several areas, including media freedom, judicial independence, electoral conditions and the protection of civil society, the Parliament concludes that the situation has deteriorated further rather than improved.
The European Parliament has once again made clear that progress towards EU membership depends not on promises, but on credible implementation of reforms, independent institutions, respect for fundamental rights and an enabling environment for civil society. As such, continued democratic backsliding cannot be ignored or normalised, and genuine reforms, not political rhetoric, must determine the pace of Serbia's accession process.
As an organisation committed to defending democratic values and supporting Serbia's European future, we welcome this strong and principled position. The European Parliament has reaffirmed that democracy, accountability and the rule of law are not optional elements of the accession process, they are its very foundation.
The European Parliament has once again made clear that progress towards EU membership depends not on promises, but on credible implementation of reforms, independent institutions, respect for fundamental rights and an enabling environment for civil society.
The European Parliament has once again made clear that progress towards EU membership depends not on promises, but on credible implementation of reforms, independent institutions, respect for fundamental rights and an enabling environment for civil society. As such, continued democratic backsliding cannot be ignored or normalised, and genuine reforms, not political rhetoric, must determine the pace of Serbia's accession process.
As an organisation committed to defending democratic values and supporting Serbia's European future, we welcome this strong and principled position. The European Parliament has reaffirmed that democracy, accountability and the rule of law are not optional elements of the accession process, they are its very foundation.
