Serbian PM: EC Annual Progress Report Best in Years

Ana Brnabic (BETAPHOTO/SERBIAN GOVERNMENT/SLOBODAN MILJEVIC/MO)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic has announced that this year’s Annual Progress Report of the European Commission for Serbia is “by far” the best in years, adding that the recommendation for opening two more clusters in Serbia’s accession negotiations is a powerful political message confirming much has been accomplished in the area of rule of law.

“There are still certain matters where we differ in opinion and don’t see eye to eye, and I think [the country’s] achievements have been more significant than shown in the report. With regards to some areas, we expected a more favorable report, but we are definitely satisfied that progress has been noted nearly across the board,” Brnabic stated in the evening of Oct. 19, after receiving the 2020 Report from Emanuele Giaufret, the head of the delegation and ambassador of the EU to Serbia.

Brnabic stressed that it was particularly important that headway had been reported against absolutely every political criterion as well as in rule of law reforms, which – according to her – is a first. “We still have much to do and must make even greater progress, but this is the first time the clear, direct message has been sent that Serbia has made a significant step forward, first and foremost in the rule of law,” the prime minister said.

Giaufret remarked that the Report documents the increased number of reforms which the Serbian government implemented over the last year and added that the EU supports opening clusters 3 and 4 of the negotiation process, but that the final decision rests with its member countries.

“It is important that Serbia continue to implement reforms in the rule of law, combating corruption and organized crime, and the freedom of speech and of the press,” the EU delegation head concluded.