Serbia may lose payments for support of reforms and Euro-integration amounting to 1.5 billion euros due to problems with democratic institutions, said EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.
Serbia may lose about 1.5 billion euros in funding from European Union funds if it does not stop the anti-democratic trends in the country. This was stated on Monday, April 20, by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos while addressing Members of the European Parliament.
As noted by AP, Kos pointed out violations recorded by observers during the municipal elections that took place in March.
As other anti-democratic trends in Serbia, the EU Commissioner noted laws undermining the independence of the judiciary, suppression of protests, and systematic interference in the work of independent media.
"We are increasingly concerned about what is happening in Serbia," Kos emphasized. According to her, the European Commission is currently assessing how well the country meets the conditions for receiving reform support payments as a candidate for EU membership.
Belgrade has already received about 100 million euros from the EU, but another approximately 1.5 billion remains uncertain, Kos added. The European Commission is expected to present its findings on the situation in Serbia in the coming weeks.
Serbia declares a course towards Eurointegration but maintains ties with the RF.
The European Commission expects Serbia to align its judicial legislation with the recommendations of the Venice Commission, the European body on democracy and constitutional law, and to restore the independence of the media system in the country, Kos stated.
The EU has ramped up integration efforts with Serbia and other Balkan countries following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, driven by concerns that the Kremlin could destabilize the region.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić declares a course towards European integration, but maintains close ties with Russia. In 2025, despite warnings from the European Commission, Vučić participated in the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow alongside Vladimir Putin. Serbia has still not imposed sanctions against the RF.