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Nicolas Marquier, Regional Manager for the Western Balkans at the IFC

Financing the Future

IFC, the largest global development institution, has provided almost $1 billion in financing to Serbia’s private sector over the past six years IFC, as a...

Iosif Vangelatos, General Manager, Inos Balkan

Proud of Tripling Trade Volume

Inos Balkan already possessed extensive expertise in the recycling sector, with its collection and processing centres, while it has today transformed itself successfully to...

Aris Karousos, CEO of Eko Serbia

Drivers Know Why They Choose Eko

Two decades ago, when this company launched its operations in Serbia, the desire was for the EKO brand to become synonymous with reliability, quality...

Danilo Đurović, General Manager, Autotechnica Serbia – Hertz

Introducing Flex Drive

As part of the Autohellas Group, which has been the absolute leader of Greece’s automotive sector since 1974, Hertz is more than just a...

Nikos Veropoulos, Owner, Veropoulos

Super Vero, Super Successful

For two decades already, company Veropoulos has been known on our market for its unique offer and high-quality products at promotional prices, but also...

Suzana Grubješić, Centre For Foreign Policy

Will The New Government Know Better?

Following the findings of the EC progress report, the new Serbian government is expected to redouble its efforts and speed up the reforms that are crucial to Serbia’s eu accession

Serbia has failed to open a single negotiation chapter this year. The EU’s progress report notes the shortcomings on the issues of judicial reform, corruption, media freedom and in many segments of the political criteria. Coupled with the rocky normalisation process with Kosovo, the lack of progress in key areas could harm the prospects of opening at least one negotiation chapter by the end of the year. The economic situation is more encouraging, and even this year’s outlook seems stable despite the COVID-19 pandemic and its detrimental impact on economies worldwide. Regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations are high on Serbia’s foreign policy agenda.

As a frontrunner among the current accession candidates and the largest country in the Western Balkans, Serbia is key to the region’s stability. Serbia is actively involved in numerous regional initiatives, some of which offer real prospects of enhanced cooperation and the easing of sometimes tense political relations. The formation of a common market and the implementation of four fundamental freedoms of the European Union would significantly increase the region’s capacities to meet the demands of the EU single market in the future, and the challenge of simultaneous economic and political transition.

Even if the accession process itself seems insurmountable and unending, it is in Serbia’s best interest

Following the findings of the progress report, the new Serbian government is expected to redouble its efforts and speed up the reforms that are crucial to Serbia’s EU accession. Democratic governance anchored on stable institutions, efficient public administration and an independent judiciary able to eradicate corruption and organised crime should undoubtedly remain strategic priorities, which can only materialise if the level of motivation to pursue domestic reforms remains high in the future. Even if the accession process itself seems insurmountable and unending, it is in Serbia’s best interest to become a modernised and Europeanised state.

The prospects of membership have always been among the most important arguments giving wind to the sails of pro-European political forces. The political choice of wanting to join the EU should be met with the political will to accept new members. The “European perspective” has been on the table for almost 20 years and now risks becoming an unconvincing notion. Stronger engagement of the EU would finally bring much needed positive dynamics to the enlargement process, reduce the risks of alternative external influences and thus (re)build a resilient alliance with all Western Balkan partners.

Comment

Census Results Cause Concern

The Ministry of Education claims to be exerting ongoing efforts to reform education, but census results indicate the need for more work. The “Platform...

By Iva Draškić Vićanović Ph.D., Dean of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology

Restore Teachers’ Dignity

The proposals presented in our Platform are viable over the short term, require no large and lasting reforms and could lead to major visible...

Comment by Prof. dr Slobodan Zečević

The Mirage of the European Oasis

Serbia officially began EU accession negotiations in January 2014. Over the subsequent decade, 22 of the 35 accession negotiation chapters have been opened and...

Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia

Easier Access to the Western Balkans’ Single Market

The EU aims to involve Western Balkans partners with its Member States on equal terms, fostering a reform partnership that’s oriented towards the future...

Zrenjanin Crowned Serbia’s Cultural Capital for 2025

In a ceremony held at the Serbian government, Zrenjanin was officially designated as Serbia's Cultural Capital for 2025. The...

Scholz Champions Western Balkans’ Path to Membership

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in Slovenia, advocated for quickening the EU accession for the Western Balkans, underlining the importance...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Serbia Advances in Renewable Energy with Pupin Wind Park Financing

In a significant stride towards renewable energy adoption, Serbia has finalized the financial arrangements for the Pupin Wind Park,...

Đedović Handanović: Nuclear Energy in Serbia by 2039 at the Earliest

Nuclear energy in Serbia could become a reality by 2039 at the earliest, should work on the project commence...

Zrenjanin Crowned Serbia’s Cultural Capital for 2025

In a ceremony held at the Serbian government, Zrenjanin was officially designated as Serbia's Cultural Capital for 2025. The...

Scholz Champions Western Balkans’ Path to Membership

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in Slovenia, advocated for quickening the EU accession for the Western Balkans, underlining the importance...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Belgrade University Partners with CERN on Future Circular Collider Project

The University of Belgrade has officially become part of CERN's largest scientific endeavor, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project,...

Kushner Eyes Balkan Luxury Developments in Serbia and Albania

Jared Kushner, closely related to former U.S. President Donald Trump as his son-in-law, is turning his attention to the...

Zrenjanin Crowned Serbia’s Cultural Capital for 2025

In a ceremony held at the Serbian government, Zrenjanin was officially designated as Serbia's Cultural Capital for 2025. The...

Scholz Champions Western Balkans’ Path to Membership

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in Slovenia, advocated for quickening the EU accession for the Western Balkans, underlining the importance...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Belgrade University Partners with CERN on Future Circular Collider Project

The University of Belgrade has officially become part of CERN's largest scientific endeavor, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project,...

Kushner Eyes Balkan Luxury Developments in Serbia and Albania

Jared Kushner, closely related to former U.S. President Donald Trump as his son-in-law, is turning his attention to the...
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