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).
“Emphasises that progress on the path towards EU accession – a genuinely merit-based process – is conditional on full respect for EU values and adherence to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, all of which are enshrined in the Copenhagen criteria; emphasises that this entails not only adopting reforms, but also implementing them thoroughly and fully.”
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.
“[The EP] underlines the importance of a framework that enables local, vibrant civil society organisations to participate in policymaking, including EU integration processes, in an inclusive and meaningful manner; calls on the authorities to ensure a safe environment for civil society to operate freely, and to refrain from any actions that undermine their independence and work; condemns the deterioration of working conditions for journalists and the media; urges Serbia to reverse its backsliding on freedom of expression.”
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:
- Free and fair elections: the Parliament once again calls for the full implementation of all OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, including improvements to the voter register, prevention of misuse of public resources, media balance, voter intimidation and electoral integrity.
- Rule of law and judicial independence: concerns over political interference in the judiciary remain central. While last year’s report focused on safeguarding judicial independence, this year’s resolution warns of further regression through legislative changes affecting prosecutors and judges and calls for urgent corrective action.
- Media freedom: both reports express deep concern over media capture, attacks on journalists, the lack of pluralism and the dysfunctional Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM). This year’s text goes further by highlighting Serbia’s lowest-ever ranking in the World Press Freedom Index and the continued paralysis of REM.
- Protection of civil society: last year’s report condemned police raids, smear campaigns and intimidation against civil society organisations. This year’s report reiterates these concerns while documenting an even more restrictive environment, including funding constraints, harassment and increasing pressure on democracy defenders.
- Education and academic freedom: compared to last year, the report places significantly greater emphasis on political pressure against universities, attacks on academic autonomy and intimidation of students and professors, recognising these developments as part of Serbia’s broader democratic backsliding.
- Student protests and peaceful assembly: for the first time, the report devotes substantial attention to the mass student-led protests, condemning violence against protesters, arbitrary detentions, unlawful surveillance and excessive use of force while reaffirming citizens’ right to peaceful protest.
- Illegal surveillance and spyware: concerns about the unlawful use of spyware against journalists, activists and civil society continue to feature prominently. The new report refers to additional documented cases and again calls for independent investigations and accountability.
- Corruption and institutional accountability: both reports identify systemic corruption and weak institutions as major obstacles to EU accession. This year’s report links these concerns directly to the ongoing political crisis following the Novi Sad tragedy and stresses the need for genuine accountability.
- Disinformation and foreign interference: the Parliament continues to express concern over state-sponsored anti-EU narratives, Russian disinformation and the need for Serbia to counter foreign information manipulation rather than contribute to it.
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 on Serbia, the language is notably stronger this year. 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:
- explicitly condemning the concept of the ‘Serbian World’ as contrary to European values;
- stating that Serbia is attempting to undermine the sovereignty of neighbouring countries;
- warning that Serbia is acting as a regional hub for Russian hybrid operations and disinformation;
- condemning increasingly hostile rhetoric against neighbouring EU Member States and Western Balkan countries;
- emphasising Serbia’s role in spreading anti-democratic and anti-EU narratives across the region;
- warning that Serbia’s actions have become a broader security concern for the Western Balkans and the European Union.
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.