Starovic: Serbia remains firmly on the path to the EU, reform report due by July 15

Minister for European Integration Nemanja Starovic stressed that, despite strict procedures and political pressure, Serbia remains firmly on the path toward European Union membership, focused on implementing key reforms, Euronews Serbia reported.

Starovic dismissed as unlikely speculation that funds from the EU Growth Plan could be redirected to the so-called "front-runners" in the accession process, such as Montenegro or Albania.

He emphasized that Serbia has successfully completed a large number of steps under its Reform Agenda, whose grace period expired at the end of June.

"We will submit a report on this to the European Commission no later than July 15, after which the Commission will begin the process of verifying the supporting documentation and approve the disbursement of funds allocated to Serbia," Starovic told Euronews Serbia.

Although there is, in principle, a possibility that funds intended for countries that fail to meet deadlines could be reallocated to others, as was already the case with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which lost 108 million euros, the minister insisted that Serbia is not in that position.

"I believe that, given everything we have accomplished, especially during this 'grace period' over the past month or two, we will not find ourselves in such a situation," Starovic said.

Speaking about the upcoming European Parliament session in Strasbourg and a report widely expected to be critical, Starovic said expectations regarding the resolution itself were realistic, given the profile of its authors, including rapporteur Tonino Picula.

"We are focused on preparing the European Commission's annual report, which covers the period up to September 1. That document carries far greater weight and importance. I believe it will be significantly more positive and constructive than previous reports, precisely because of the reform momentum we have initiated," Starovic said.

The minister added that the implementation of the recommendations of the Venice Commission was deliberately completed at the last moment to demonstrate Serbia's commitment, but acknowledged that the political climate in the European Parliament often depends on ideological groupings.

Commenting on the change in tone in Brussels and the sharp debates in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Starovic said that a negative trend had emerged over the past two years as a result of political developments in Serbia.

According to him, political groups such as the Social Democrats, Greens, and Liberals often shape their positions based on information they receive from their political partners within the Serbian opposition.

"However, it is evident that a considerable number of MEPs are closely following developments and view the reforms implemented in a positive light. I am referring to the package of judicial laws aligned with the Venice Commission, the package of electoral laws in line with ODIHR recommendations, as well as resolving issues related to media regulation through the appointment of members of the REM Council," the minister said.

According to Starovic, all of these steps contribute to an atmosphere of "moderate and cautious optimism" that significant progress could be achieved in the formal part of Serbia's EU accession negotiations.

Starovic is in Brussels today together with Serbian National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali, and Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, where they are taking part in the event "Serbia's Reform Momentum: From Commitment to Implementation," organized by the Serbian government and Serbia's Mission to the European Union.

The event will present the results of Serbia's reform process and the progress the country has made on its path toward EU membership. It is the first in a series of planned events in European capitals aimed at showcasing everything Serbia has achieved so far.

"This is a good opportunity to present the facts in the proper context to representatives of foreign media, institutes and think tanks. We want to reaffirm the commitment of the government and the parliamentary majority to continue reforms that must result in decisive progress on Serbia's path toward EU membership," Starovic said, adding that Brussels is not only the venue for an administrative battle over funding, but also for a political effort to shape the perception of Serbia as a modern, reform-oriented country ready to assume the responsibilities that come with full membership in the European family of nations.