Euronews: European Commission Assesses Serbia Has Remedied the Backsliding, Not all Member States Agree

European Commission building (BETAPHOTO/EK/Lukasz Kobus)

On July 6, the European Commission (EC) submitted to the EU member states an information note outlining why Belgrade has made sufficient progress for opening Cluster 3, covering competitiveness and inclusive growth.

Euronews.de reported on July 7 that in the information note, seen by the portal, the EC presented its view that Serbia has “remedied the backsliding” identified earlier this year and taken steps to strengthen the Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime, while acknowledging that “further work is still required in the judicial and prosecutorial system.”

“However, talks with more than 10 diplomats, EU officials and experts reveal that the latest change in Serbia’s course has failed to reconcile different opinions among the member states. And unanimous backing is required for Serbia to be able to continue its accession path,” Euronews reported. 

According to the portal, some member countries believe that Belgrade deserves to be rewarded for accepting the recommendations of the Venice Commission on changes to judicial laws, while others emphasize that this “cannot undo the long-standing democratic backsliding and the present concerns over judicial independence, corruption and the rule of law.”

And while some believe that close cooperation with Serbia, as the largest economy in the Western Balkans and a strategically important partner, is the best way to encourage reforms, others, according to Euronews, “warn that rewarding small progress, without prior substantial changes, could further undermine the credibility of the EU enlargement process.”