The presentation of the latest European Parliament (EP) report has highlighted the obvious differences in the approach that the European Union (EU) has towards Serbia and Kosovo in the European integration process.
In its report on Serbia, the EU has taken a highly critical tone, even mentioning the possibility of interrupting the integration process.
The EP rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula, harshly criticized the Serbian government’s stance on the recent protests and blockades, as well as foreign policy decisions, including President Aleksandar Vučić’s recent visit to Moscow.
Responding to the criticism, Vučić declared that “if the EU wants punishment, let it punish me, not the whole country”, but analysts say this does not hold up. Dragoslav Rasheta from the organization “New Third Way” assesses that the EP report uses the harshest language to date and suggests that Serbia’s European integration is perceived as a blocked process.
According to Rasheta, the report calls for radical reforms in numerous areas, otherwise Serbia will not achieve its objectives for 2026.
He also emphasizes that the EP recommends that the European Commission reconsider financial assistance to Serbia if it continues to pursue policies that contradict EU values and principles.
“Vučić’s rhetoric is indicative of autocratic tendencies, which the report itself warns about,” Rasheta said, adding that the visit to Moscow aims to mobilize the nationalist and Russophile electorate in Serbia, to the detriment of the country’s European perspective.
On the other hand, the report on Kosovo was significantly softer and more focused on its progress towards European integration.
The EP reiterated the need for the resumption of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and the implementation of the signed agreements, but also highlighted Kosovo’s progress in this process.
The leader of the Serbian People’s Movement, Milija Biševac, described the report on Kosovo as not entirely representative of the reality on the ground.
According to her, although the EU insists on dialogue, the lack of a clear strategy and its focus on the crisis in Ukraine have caused the process to stall.
Biševac added that the Serb List has no real role in Kosovo’s institutions, and the lack of adequate representation of Serbs is a serious problem.
“It is a shame for society that Serbs, who could be a constructive factor in Kosovo policymaking, remain marginalized,” he declared.