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Nikola Pejović, Umka Cardboard Mill General Manager

Sustainability and Quality as Foundations of Trust

The Umka Cardboard Mill boasts a rich tradition dating all the way back to 1939, when it was first established to produce paper and...

Miodrag Kostić Endowment

Palace of Science Welcomes Visitors

Thanks to Miodrag Kostić’s gift to the Serbian society that’s worth over 25 million euros, an area of 5,500m² in one of Belgrade’s most...

dm drogerie

CSR Marks Milestone Year for dm

Retail chain dm drogerie markt, a leader in corporate social responsibility in Serbia, concluded its anniversary year with numerous humanitarian activities and monetary and...

Kathrine Decorzant, general manager, JTI Adriatica

Benchmark for Success

JTI represents one of the largest Japanese investments in Serbia and the country’s leading tobacco company, which has been recognised as a Top Employer...

Aleksandar Momčilović, sales and service manager at Daikin Serbia (Heating & Cooling expert)

Trust Built on Expertise

Daikin has introduced many global “firsts” and patented technologies that have become indispensable in modern air conditioners and heat pumps ~ says Diakin Serbia’s...

Nemanja Todorović Štiplija, Editor-in-Chief of portal European Western Balkans

Positive Signs, But No Simple Solutions

The first real sign of whether the EU has changed its opinion on the issue of European integration will come after next year’s European elections and the appointment of a new Commissioner for Enlargement. Similarly, it is important whether the reform of decision-making processes in the EU will be initiated, as this is an informal prerequisite for enlargement

The war in Ukraine has elevated the issue of enlargement on the list of EU priorities. It is enough to observe the rhetoric of the French leadership. Prior to the war, this country was rightly perceived as the top sceptic when it comes to accepting new members. However, speaking at the recent Bled Strategic Forum, France’s Secretary of State for European Affairs, Laurence Boone, insisted that “there will be no stability and security in the EU and neighbouring countries without enlargement”. The same panel included Natalie Tocchi, director of Italy’s influential Institute of International Relations, who wrote in a recent editorial piece for Brussels-based Politico Europe that the geopolitical argument in favour of EU enlargement must prevail in the near future.

Nevertheless, not everything is so simple. Although the war has significantly strengthened pro-enlargement currents within the EU, a consensus has yet to be reached. Over the past year and a half, there has been plenty of stumbling when certain steps needed to be taken, such as opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. Viewed as a whole, no significant developments should be expected ahead of next year’s European elections. After that, the main elements that the region needs to pay attention to are who will be the new Commissioner for Enlargement and whether the reforming EU decision-making processes will be initiated, which represents an informal precondition for enlargement.

Now that the EU seems readier to accept new members, candidate countries also need to demonstrate their commitment. However, the signals sent to date are disappointing

Now that the EU seems readier to accept new members, candidate countries also need to demonstrate their commitment. However, the signals sent to date are disappointing. The Albania PM and Serbian MFA immediately expressed scepticism over dates, with Serbia’s highest representatives – the president and prime minister – having so far completely ignored the announcement mentioning 2030. One gets the impression that those claiming that many political elites across the region are more comfortable with the status quo than a more serious commitment to the enlargement process are correct.

The year 2030 is indeed realistic for some candidate countries – those that will be ready for accession by that time. Although the Ukraine situation has reinvigorated this process, it is difficult to expect that it could achieve this state of readiness itself, which is certainly an impossibility while the war continues. On the other hand, Montenegro could achieve it, and probably also North Macedonia, and Serbia could make it too, provided it “buckles down” immediately. The fulfilling of the Government’s programme to adopt EU legislation has remained at a very low level in recent years. Serbia’s Minister of European Integration recently announced that the pace of reforms will be accelerated, and let’s hope that this will be the case – provided new extraordinary elections aren’t prevented in the meantime.

Comment by Zoran Panović

The Absurdity of Reality

Amid the unfolding upheaval surrounding Trump’s return to the White House, mass Student-led protests have erupted in Serbia. The trigger was a tragedy at...

Florian Bieber, Professor for Southeast European History and Politics at the University of Graz and director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies

Autocratic Regimes Spark Mass Protests

Protests in Slovakia, Georgia and Serbia stem from different causes, but reflect broader political frustration and often inspire one another There have been large protest...

Vladan Marjanović, journalist of weekly news magazine Radar

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With Trump’s return to the White House, the world has entered a period in which the power of state repression, based on the violating...

Slobodan G. Markovich, Faculty of Political Science of the University of Belgrade

The Mutiny of Zoomers and the Belgrade Student Protests

Gen Z in the West and Serbia seeks security and respect, expecting institutions – and not politicians – to deliver. Using likes, dislikes and...

IWC Opens Call for Proposals for Women Empowerment Projects in Serbia

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Neoplanta Celebrates New Life with Generous Gesture

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The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

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AgroBelgrade 2025 – A Hub for Innovation and Trade in Agriculture and Horticulture

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Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

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The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

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UK Surges to Second in Global Investment Rankings, Offering Hope Amid Economic Uncertainty

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Orban Visits Belgrade: Hungary and Serbia Aim for Affordable Energy for All

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The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

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Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

The best Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals after an incredibly thrilling...

UK Surges to Second in Global Investment Rankings, Offering Hope Amid Economic Uncertainty

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Orban Visits Belgrade: Hungary and Serbia Aim for Affordable Energy for All

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Nigeria Joins BRICS as a Partner Country

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