Beyer: Europe must take Serbia seriously, those who seek stability cannot ignore Belgrade

Member of the German Bundestag, Peter Beyer, stated that Serbia is not just any neighboring country, but a geopolitical and economic player in the Western Balkans, and that anyone who seeks stability and a European order in Southeast Europe cannot afford to ignore Belgrade.

Beyer emphasized that during his visit to Belgrade, he held discussions with President Aleksandar Vucic, government officials, opposition politicians, and civil society representatives, noting that the situation is more complex than many foreign policy commentators suggest.

“Yes, there are protests, predominantly involving students, in large but declining numbers. And yes, there is a legitimate and necessary debate about democratic standards, media freedom, and the rule of law. But Serbia is not on the brink of chaos or civil war – rather, it stands at a crossroads: economically dynamic, strategically significant in foreign policy, and domestically in search of direction, renewal, and orientation,” Beyer wrote on LinkedIn.

The key question, he stressed, is not whether the European Union will open its doors to Serbia – as those doors are already open – but rather, “does Serbia truly want to walk through them?”

“This requires more than just rhetoric – it calls for concrete steps toward the rule of law, pluralism, and international credibility,” Beyer added.

He also noted that during his visit to the Innovation and Technology Park in Belgrade, financed by the EU, he witnessed a powerful example of what European cooperation can enable.

“They are working there with a focus on the future – well-networked, professional, and with clear potential for regional impact,” Beyer highlighted.

He concluded by saying that Europe must take Serbia seriously – and at the same time, Serbia must demonstrate that it takes Europe seriously.