Serbia EU talks could move again after five-year block

The European Commission has recommended opening a new group of accession chapters with Serbia, after five years of delay.

The recommendation concerns Cluster 3 of Serbia’s EU membership talks, which covers competitiveness and inclusive growth. It has been blocked since 2021.

In a briefing for EU member state ambassadors, the Commission said Serbia had made progress on judicial reform, media freedom, election rules and cooperation on foreign and security policy.

The Commission said the cluster could be opened in July 2026, but warned that more reforms are still needed, especially in the courts and prosecution system.

Serbia has not joined EU sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. But the Commission said Belgrade had worked with the EU to prevent sanctions evasion, supported Ukraine and increased political contacts with Kyiv.

The assessment comes weeks after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic defended close ties with China during an official visit to Beijing.