Vucic: Kosovo and Metohija is part of Serbia’s territory, I believe the EU will help ensure the implementation of what was signed in 2013 – the establishment of the CSM

President Aleksandar Vucic stated, after receiving the European Commission’s annual report on Serbia’s progress from the head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, that he is confident the European Union, as an organization that stands by its word and its signature, will help Serbia ensure that what was agreed in 2013 regarding Kosovo is fulfilled – the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities. Von Beckerath emphasized that Serbia’s future lies in the European Union, adding that reforms are not easy but are necessary.

“Mr. von Beckerath, I am very pleased that I was able today to receive the annual report of the European Commission, of the European Union, on the situation in Serbia. You said it is a mirror – I would say it is your opinion and your view, certainly not a mirror. But I am very grateful for everything you said today. I think it is very important for our citizens to finally hear, in an honest way, what it is that you expect from us,” Vucic said at a press conference in the Palace of Serbia after his meeting with Beckerath.

Vucic said that Kosovo is a very important area for Serbia and a part of the country’s territory, which Serbia considers its own in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, the UN Charter, and Resolution 1244.

“We are talking about Kosovo and Metohija. You said that all obligations from the 2023 agreements must be fulfilled. Before that, I am certain that the European Union, as an organization that always stands by its word, and especially its signature, wants to ensure the implementation of everything signed on April 19, 2013, ten years earlier. We are confident that you will help us in that, which was not exactly the case in the past twelve years. But I believe that this time it will happen,” Vucic said, addressing Beckerath.

He emphasized that, regarding the events of autumn 2023, he believes the European Union will ensure that all those responsible for the incidents from 2008 through the end of 2025, in which Serbs were killed, wounded, or arbitrarily arrested, will finally face justice.

“I am very grateful for all the other analyses as well. I accept that we are not good enough in terms of geopolitics, that we are not good enough in many other areas, and that, as you said, we have a problem with expression. I do not know of a single word in this country or in the media that has not been said against government representatives, words that we never hear in the West, but apparently, someone there is being prevented from saying such things. That is another small thing I disagree with,” Vucic added.

Von Beckerath: Serbia’s future is in the EU, reforms are not easy but necessary

The head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, said that Serbia’s future is in the European Union and that this should be stated clearly, emphasizing that reforms are not easy but are essential on the path toward membership.

After presenting the European Commission’s annual Progress Report on Serbia to President Aleksandar Vucic, von Beckerath stated that the report comes at a key moment in the context of a changing geopolitical situation.

“Enlargement is an imperative, and the European Union is preparing for it. The war of aggression against Ukraine has strengthened the enlargement process and the importance of reforms. While geopolitics has contributed to reopening the door to enlargement, it must be said that this is a merit-based policy. Only genuine reforms lead to the goal – democratic values and the rule of law,” von Beckerath said.

According to him, the report serves to show where Serbia currently stands on its European path and which reforms still need to be implemented.

“This is not a critical document but an indicator of which areas require further work. The pace of reforms has slowed down, but on the positive side, there are encouraging developments – in economic criteria and several internal market policies of the EU. The technical conditions for opening Cluster 3 have been met, and it is now up to the member states to decide whether that will happen,” von Beckerath noted.

He added that the report takes into account completed reforms, while the EU welcomes the proposals for new members of the REM and for the Unified Voter Register.

“We call for these processes to be completed in a transparent manner and with the inclusion of all stakeholders. Additional efforts are needed to overcome stagnation in the judiciary and to enhance freedom of expression. That is what the citizens of Serbia are asking for. The rhetoric has deepened divisions. Serbia must move forward,” von Beckerath said.

He emphasized that progress in the rule of law and in the normalization of relations with Pristina remains essential.

“That will continue to determine the overall pace. Both Serbia and Kosovo must implement the obligations agreed in 2023 with the annex, as well as previous ones. It is important to remember that the normalization agreement must be implemented because it will provide a peaceful environment that enables political stability and reconciliation,” he stated.

According to von Beckerath, Serbia continues to declare EU membership as its strategic goal.

“It is time to back this up with concrete actions, to avoid anti-European rhetoric, and to act objectively. Serbia’s future is in the EU, and that should be clearly stated. Serbia must overcome divisions and build trust among civic and political actors. Reforms are not easy, but they are necessary,” he said.

He added that the European Union is ready to continue supporting Serbia in its democratic and institutional reforms.

“This is a moment of momentum for the overall enlargement process. With the right and determined reforms, Serbia can seize this opportunity,” von Beckerath concluded.