Accession of Serbia to the European Union

Serbia applied to join the European Union (EU) in 2009 and has been a candidate for membership since 2012, along with nine other states. Serbia is the largest country in Southeast Europe seeking entry into the EU.[4][5][6]

Accession of Serbia to the European Union
StatusCandidate negotiating
Application
European perspective21 June 2003
Potential candidate21 June 2003
Membership application22 December 2009
Candidate status1 March 2012
Screened & negotiations commence25 March 2015
Clusters open0
Chapters open0
Clusters closed0
Chapters closed0
Chapter 25 – Science and research and Chapter 26 – Education and culture are provisionally closed. Chapter 34 - Institutions is currently not applicable.
Memberships & Treaties
Association Agreement
1 September 2013
Economic and monetary policy
EU Free Trade Agreement1 September 2013
World Trade Organization (WTO)Undergoing accession process.[1]
Euro & the EurozoneThe euro is widely accepted in Serbia, although it has no formal approval, and the official currency of the country is the Serbian dinar
Travel
Schengen visa liberalisation19 December 2009
Energy
Energy CommunityMember since 9 August 2006
EuratomSerbia is not a member. Serbia does not have any nuclear power, but it does have a moratorium on the development of nuclear energy.[2]
ENTSO-EElektromreža Srbije is a member.
Foreign and military policy
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)Individual Partnership Action Plan since 15 January 2015
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)1 August 1975 (as Yugoslavia)
Human rights and international courts
Council of Europe (CoE)since 2003 (as Serbia and Montenegro)
International Criminal Court (ICC)Serbia and Montenegro deposited their instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute on 6 September 2001. The Rome Statute entered into force on 1 July 2002.[3]
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Impact (27+1)
Population446,828,803455,052,321
Increase 1.5%
Area4,233,262 km2
1,634,472 mi2
4,310,736 km2
1,664,385 mi2
Increase 1.8%
(excluding Kosovo)
HDI0.8960.890
Decrease 0.67%
GDP (PPP)$25.399 trillion$25.572 trillion
Increase 0.68%
GDP per capita (PPP)$56,928$56,196
Decrease 1.29%
GDP$17.818 trillion$17.256 trillion
Increase 0.4%
GDP per capita$39,940$37,920
Decrease 5.3%
Gini30.030.1
Negative increase 0.39%
Official Languages2425 Serbian
Increase 1

A poll in June 2023 found that only 33% of Serbs wanted to join the EU.[7] Obstacles for accession include the requirement to recognize statehood for Kosovo, foreign policy alignment with Russia, democratic backsliding including allegations of fraud in elections in December 2023, and domestic policies such as rule of law and media freedom.[8][5][9]

History

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Identification

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Negotiations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (later the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro) intensified following the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000, and the EU officially declared the Balkan states potential candidates for membership following the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki on 21 June 2003.[10]

Stabilisation and Association Agreement

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On 7 November 2007, Serbia initiated a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. The SAA came into force on 1 September 2013.

Status of SAA ratification
Event North Macedonia [11] Croatia [12] Albania [13] Montenegro [14][Note 1] Bosnia and
Herzegovina
[16]
Serbia [17][Note 2] Kosovo [18][Note 3]
SAA negotiations start 2000-04-05 2000-11-24 2003-01-31 2005-10-10 2005-11-25 2005-10-10 2013-10-28[20]
SAA initialled 2000-11-24 2001-05-14 2006-02-28 2007-03-15 2007-12-04 2007-11-07 2014-07-25[21]
SAA/IA signature 2001-04-09 2001-10-29 2006-06-12 2007-10-15 2008-06-16 2008-04-29 2015-10-27[22]
Interim Agreement:
EC ratification 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-06-12 2007-10-15 2008-06-16 2009-12-08 N/A [Note 4]
SAP state ratification 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-10-09 2007-11-14 2008-06-20 2008-09-22 N/A [Note 4]
entry into force 2001-06-01 2002-03-01 2006-12-01 2008-01-01 2008-07-01 2010-02-01 N/A [Note 4]
Deposit of the instrument of ratification:
SAP state 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-11-09 2007-11-13 2009-02-26 2008-09-22 2016-02-26
Austria 2002-09-06 2002-03-15 2008-05-21 2008-07-04 2009-09-04 2011-01-13 N/A
Belgium 2003-12-29 2003-12-17 2008-10-22 2010-03-29 2010-03-29 2012-03-20 N/A
Bulgaria joined the EU later 2008-05-30 2009-03-13 2010-08-12 N/A
Croatia joined the EU later N/A
Cyprus joined the EU later 2008-05-30 2008-11-20 2009-07-02 2010-11-26 N/A
Czech Republic joined the EU later 2008-05-07 2009-02-19 2009-07-23 2011-01-28 N/A
Denmark 2002-04-10 2002-05-08 2008-04-24 2008-06-25 2009-05-26 2011-03-04 N/A
Estonia joined the EU later 2007-10-17 2007-11-22 2008-09-11 2010-08-19 N/A
Finland 2004-01-06 2004-01-06 2007-11-29 2009-03-18 2009-04-07 2011-10-21 N/A
France 2003-06-04 2003-06-04 2009-02-12 2009-07-30 2011-02-10 2012-01-16 N/A
Germany 2002-06-20 2002-10-18 2009-02-19 2009-11-16 2009-08-14 2012-02-24 N/A
Greece 2003-08-27 2003-08-27 2009-02-26 2010-03-04 2010-09-20 2011-03-10 N/A
Hungary joined the EU later 2007-04-23 2008-05-14 2008-10-22 2010-11-16 N/A
Ireland 2002-05-06 2002-05-06 2007-06-11 2009-06-04 2009-06-04 2011-09-29 N/A
Italy 2003-10-30 2004-10-06 2008-01-07 2009-10-13 2010-09-08 2011-01-06 N/A
Latvia joined the EU later 2006-12-19 2008-10-17 2009-11-12 2011-05-30 N/A
Lithuania joined the EU later 2007-05-17 2009-03-04 2009-05-04 2013-06-26 N/A
Luxembourg 2003-07-28 2003-08-01 2007-07-04 2009-06-11 2010-12-22 2011-01-21 N/A
Malta joined the EU later 2008-04-21 2008-12-11 2010-01-07 2010-07-06 N/A
Netherlands 2002-09-09 2004-04-30 2007-12-10 2009-01-29 2009-09-30 2012-02-27 N/A
Poland joined the EU later 2007-04-14 2009-02-06 2010-04-07 2012-01-13 N/A
Portugal 2003-07-14 2003-07-14 2008-07-11 2008-09-23 2009-06-29 2011-03-04 N/A
Romania joined the EU later 2009-01-15 2010-01-08 2012-05-22 N/A
Slovakia joined the EU later 2007-07-20 2008-07-29 2009-03-17 2010-11-11 N/A
Slovenia joined the EU later 2007-01-18 2008-02-07 2009-03-10 2010-12-07 N/A
Spain 2002-10-04 2002-10-04 2007-05-03 2009-03-12 2010-06-15 2010-06-21 N/A
Sweden 2002-06-25 2003-03-27 2007-03-21 2009-03-11 2009-09-14 2011-04-15 N/A
United Kingdom 2002-12-17 2004-09-03 2007-10-16 2010-01-12 2010-04-20 2011-08-11 N/A
European Communities or
European Union and Euratom
2004-02-25 2004-12-21 2009-02-26 2010-03-29 2015-04-30 2013-07-22 2016-02-24 [Note 5]
SAA entry into force 2004-04-01 2005-02-01 2009-04-01 2010-05-01 2015-06-01 2013-09-01 2016-04-01[26]
EU membership (SAA lapsed) (TBD) 2013-07-01 (TBD) (TBD) (TBD) (TBD) (TBD)

N/A: Not applicable.

  1. ^ Montenegro started negotiations in November 2005 while a part of Serbia and Montenegro (SiM). Separate technical negotiations were conducted regarding issues of sub-state organizational competency. A mandate for direct negotiations with Montenegro was established in July 2006. Direct negotiations were initiated on 26 September 2006 and concluded on 1 December 2006.[15]
  2. ^ Serbia started negotiations in November 2005 while part of SiM, with a modified mandate from July 2006.
  3. ^ Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but is still claimed by Serbia as part of its territory. The European Union remains divided, with five EU member states not recognizing its independence. The EU launched a Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism for Kosovo] on 6 November 2002 with the aim of aligning its policy with EU standards. On 10 October 2012 the European Commission found that there were no legal obstacles to Kosovo signing a SAA with the EU, as independence is not required for such an agreement.[19]
  4. ^ a b c No Interim Agreement associated with Kosovo's SAA was concluded.[23]
  5. ^ Kosovo's SAA was the first signed after the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, which conferred a legal personality to the EU. As a result, unlike previous SAAs Kosovo's is exclusively between it and the EU and Euratom, and the member states are not parties independently.[20][24][25]

Recommendation

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The European Commission recommended making Serbia an official candidate on 12 October 2011. The Council also made the recommendation on 28 February 2012.

Candidacy

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Serbia received full candidate status on 1 March 2012. In December 2013, the Council of the European Union approved opening negotiations for Serbia's accession.

Application

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Serbia officially applied for European Union membership on 22 December 2009.

Developmental Aid

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Until 2020, Serbia had been receiving €2.9bn of developmental aid from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, a funding mechanism for EU candidate countries.

Chronology of relations with the EU

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Timeline
Date Event
1998 The EU Council of Ministers establishes political and economic conditionality for the development of bilateral relations.
21 June 2003 The Stabilisation and Association Process is confirmed as the EU policy for the Western Balkans. The EU's perspective on these countries is confirmed.
October 2004 European Council conclusions open up a process for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SSA).
October 2005 Negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement are launched.
3 May 2006 SAA negotiations called off due to lack of progress on cooperation with the ICTY.
13 June 2007 SAA negotiations with Serbia resumed, following a clear commitment by the country to achieve full cooperation with the ICTY.
1 November 2007 Serbia's SAA is initialed.
1 January 2008 Entry into force of the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreement between Serbia and the EU.
18 February 2008 Council adopts revised European partnership for Serbia.
29 April 2008 The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and Interim agreement on trade and trade-related issues between Serbia and the EU are signed in Luxembourg.
19 December 2009 Visa requirement lifted for Serbs travelling to Schengen countries.
22 December 2009 Serbia officially applies for membership in the European Union.
14 June 2010 EU members decide to start SAA ratification process
31 January 2011 Serbia replies to Commission questionnaire
14 October 2011 European Commission delivers its Opinion on Serbia's EU membership application, granting candidate status based on one key priority.
1 March 2012 European Council grants Serbia official candidate status for EU membership
28 June 2013 European Council endorsed the commission's recommendation to open negotiations with Serbia
1 September 2013 Entry into force of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement
25 September 2013 Screening of the acquis started.
17 December 2013 Council adopted the negotiating framework with Serbia and agreed to hold the 1st Intergovernmental Conference with Serbia in January 2014
21 January 2014 1st EU-Serbia Intergovernmental Conference held, signaling the official start of negotiations.
25 March 2015 All EU acquis screenings are completed.
14 December 2015 Opening of Chapters 32 "financial control" and 35 "other issues – Item 1: Normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo*"
18 July 2016 Opening of Chapters 23 "Judiciary and fundamental rights" and 24 "Justice, freedom and security"
13 December 2016 Opening of Chapters 5, Public procurement, and 25, Science and Research. Chapter 25, Science and Research, provisionally closed.
27 February 2017 Opening of Chapters 20, Enterprise and industrial policy, and 26, Education and culture. Chapter 26, Education and culture, is provisionally closed.
20 June 2017 Opening of Chapters 7, Intellectual property law, and 29, Customs Union.
11 December 2017 Opening of Chapters 6, Company law, and 30, External relations.
25 June 2018 Opening of Chapters 13, Fisheries, and 33, Financial and budgetary provisions.
10 December 2018 Opening of Chapters 17, Economic and monetary policy, and 18, Statistics.
27 June 2019 Opening of Chapter 9, Financial services
9 December 2019 Opening of Chapter 4, Free Movement of Capital
1 February 2021 New Methodology comes into effect
14 December 2021 Opening of Chapters 14, Transport Policy, 15, Energy, 21, Trans-European Networks and 27, Environment and Climate Change

Foreign Policy

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Serbia refused to join international sanctions against Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In response, the European Parliament passed a resolution that stated in part it "strongly regrets Serbia’s non-alignment with EU sanctions against Russia, which damages its EU accession process."[27]

Serbia and Kosovo

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The biggest obstacle to Serbia's accession to the EU is its strained relationship with Kosovo,[5] which escalated after the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence. The Serbian government has declared that the status of Kosovo should not be tied to the EU negotiations. In September 2012, the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Štefan Füle, denied that the European Union would insist on Serbia's recognition of Kosovo before it can join the organisation.[28]

On 19 April 2013, the governments of Kosovo and Serbia completed the Brussels Agreement, which was hailed as a major step towards normalising relations and enabled the start of EU accession talks with Serbia.[29] In November 2013, Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs Enver Hoxhaj suggested that the EU should approve the accession of Kosovo and Serbia simultaneously due to concerns that if Serbia was admitted first they could veto Kosovo's membership.[30] However, Serbia's accession negotiations were not halted.

In March 2021, the European Parliament adopted a report on Serbia, which, amongst other things, emphasized that the normalization of relationships between Serbia and Kosovo is "a priority and a requirement for EU accession."[31]

Negotiations

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Screening and Chapter Dates
Progression 34 / 34 34 / 34 22 / 34 2 / 34
Acquis Chapter[32] Screening Started Screening Completed Chapter Opened Chapter Closed
Overview 34 out of 34 34 out of 34 22 out of 34 2 out of 34
1. Free Movement of Goods 2014-06-17 2014-09-12
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers 2014-01-23 2014-03-25
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services 2014-01-30 2014-03-13
4. Free Movement of Capital 2014-10-13 2014-12-15 2019-12-10
5. Public Procurement 2014-03-21 2014-05-13 2016-12-13
6. Company Law 2014-12-11 2015-02-05 2017-12-11
7. Intellectual Property Law 2014-09-24 2014-11-13 2017-06-20
8. Competition Policy 2014-03-31 2014-11-05
9. Financial Services 2015-01-21 2015-03-17 2019-06-27
10. Information Society & Media 2014-05-22 2014-07-02
11. Agriculture & Rural Development 2014-03-18 2014-09-16
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy 2014-02-03 2014-10-24
13. Fisheries 2014-09-30 2014-11-14 2018-06-25
14. Transport Policy 2014-12-16 2015-02-27 2021-12-14
15. Energy 2014-04-29 2014-06-12 2021-12-14
16. Taxation 2014-10-14 2015-03-06
17. Economic & Monetary Policy 2014-12-02 2015-03-12 2018-12-10
18. Statistics 2014-05-20 2014-11-26 2018-12-10
19. Social Policy & Employment 2014-02-10 2014-06-26
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy 2014-04-03 2014-07-02 2017-02-27
21. Trans-European Networks 2014-04-29 2015-02-27 2021-12-14
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments 2014-10-01 2015-01-29
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights 2013-09-25 2013-12-10 2016-07-18
24. Justice, Freedom & Security 2013-10-02 2013-12-13 2016-07-18
25. Science & Research 2014-10-06 2014-12-01 2016-12-13 2016-12-13
26. Education & Culture 2014-02-20 2014-04-04 2017-02-27 2017-02-27
27. Environment 2014-09-15 2014-11-21 2021-12-14
28. Consumer & Health Protection 2014-12-04 2015-02-04
29. Customs Union 2014-03-26 2014-06-04 2017-06-20
30. External Relations 2014-07-02 2014-10-09 2017-12-11
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy 2014-07-15 2014-10-10
32. Financial Control 2013-10-17 2013-11-26 2015-12-14
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions 2015-01-27 2015-03-24 2018-06-25
34. Institutions
35. Other Issues: Relations with Kosovo* 2014-01-22 2015-03-25 2015-12-14
Progression 34 / 34 34 / 34 22 / 34 2 / 34
Report History
Acquis chapter 2010[33] 2012[34] 2013[35] 2014[36] 2015[37] 2016[38] 2018[39] 2019[40] 2020[41] 2021[42] 2022[43] 2023[44] 2024[45]
1. Free Movement of Goods Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
4. Free Movement of Capital Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
5. Public Procurement Considerable efforts needed Considerable efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
6. Company Law Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation
7. Intellectual Property Law Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation
8. Competition Policy Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Good level of preparation Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
9. Financial Services Considerable efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
10. Information Society & Media Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
11. Agriculture & Rural Development Early stage Early stage Considerable efforts needed Considerable efforts needed Early stage Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
13. Fisheries Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
14. Transport Policy Some level of preparation Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation
15. Energy Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
16. Taxation Further efforts needed Considerable efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Good level of preparation
17. Economic & Monetary Policy Further efforts needed Considerable efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Good level of preparation Good level of preparation
18. Statistics Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Good level of preparation
19. Social Policy & Employment Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy Some level of preparation Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
21. Trans-European Networks Considerable efforts needed Considerable efforts needed Considerable efforts needed Some level of preparation Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Good level of preparation
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments Considerable efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights Considerable efforts needed Some level of preparation Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
24. Justice, Freedom & Security Considerable efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Moderately prepared††
25. Science & Research Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation
26. Education & Culture Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Some level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation
27. Environment Early stage Considerable efforts needed Considerable efforts needed Some level of preparation Early stage Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
28. Consumer & Health Protection Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
29. Customs Union Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation Good level of preparation
30. External Relations Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Further efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
32. Financial Control Early stage Early stage Considerable efforts needed Considerable efforts needed Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
34. Institutions Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia Currently not applicable for Serbia
35. Other Issues Normalisation with Kosovo Early stage Early stage Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed Further efforts needed
Legend:

Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters.

indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation".

†† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".

  totally incompatible   early stage   considerable efforts needed   some level of preparation   further efforts needed   moderately prepared   no major difficulties expected   good level of preparation   well prepared / well advanced

Clusters of negotiating chapters[46]
Clusters Acquis Chapter State of Play Cluster Opened Cluster Closed
Overview Overview 22 out of 34 3 out of 6 0 out of 6
Fundamentals 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights Opened Opened
24. Justice, Freedom & Security Opened
Economic criteria
Functioning of democratic institutions
Public administration reform
5. Public Procurement Opened
18. Statistics Opened
32. Financial Control Opened
Internal Market 1. Free Movement of Goods Serbia working on fulfilment of opening benchmarks
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers Draft EU Common Position in Council
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services Draft EU Common Position in Council
4. Free Movement of Capital Opened
6. Company Law Opened
7. Intellectual Property Law Opened
8. Competition Policy Serbia working on fulfillment of opening benchmarks
9. Financial Services Opened
28. Consumer & Health Protection Draft EU Common Position in Council
Competitiveness

and inclusive growth

10. Information Society & Media Draft EU Common Position in Council
16. Taxation Opening Benchmarks Assessment Report in Council
17. Economic & Monetary Policy Opened
19. Social Policy & Employment Opening Benchmarks Assessment Report in Council
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy Opened
25. Science & Research Closed
26. Education & Culture Closed
29. Customs Union Opened
Green agenda

and sustainable connectivity

14. Transport Policy Opened Opened
15. Energy Opened
21. Trans-European Networks Opened
27. Environment Opened
Resources, agriculture

and cohesion

11. Agriculture & Rural Development Opening Benchmarks Assessment Report in Council
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy Serbia working on fulfilment of opening benchmarks
13. Fisheries Opened
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments Opening Benchmarks Assessment Report in Council
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions Opened
External relations 30. External Relations Opened
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy Screening Report in Council
34. Institutions Opened Closed
35. Other Issues: Relations with Kosovo* Opened Opened

Public opinion

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Serbia was initially supportive of accession in the past due to better relationships with countries in the European Union, as well as for economic reasons. In the last decades because of the support of Kosovo's independence by most European countries, the economic crisis, the better relationships with the United States in addition to giving sanctions against Russia during the Russian invasion in Ukraine, support for EU membership went down. Serbia has become more opposed to the Western NATO bloc and prefer better ties and relationships with, for example, Russia for its shared Eastern Orthodox Christian Slavic traditions and China with its large economy and similar soft alliance with Russia.[citation needed]

A February 2024 NSPM poll recorded that 42.8% were for joining the EU, with 36.8% against. The rest were undecided or refused to give the answer. Another poll recorded the question "Would you support joining the EU if recognizing the independence of Kosovo was a condition for joining it?", 76% answered no, compared to 12.2% who said yes.[47]

An October 2023 Smart Plus poll found that if a referendum on joining the EU would take place, 44% would vote in favour of joining the EU, with 30% voting against, 15% undecided and 10% abstaining.[48]

Data by the Serbian Ministry of European Integration
Date Question Yes No Undecided
September 2002[49] Join EU? 68% 13% 19%
December 2003[49] Join EU? 72% 8% 20%
September 2004[49] Join EU? 71% 12% 17%
September 2005[49] Join EU? 64% 12% 24%
September 2006[49] Join EU? 70% 12% 18%
June 2007[50] Join EU? 69% 15% 15%
June 2008[51] Join EU? 67% 12% 21%
October 2008[51] Join EU? 65%
December 2008[52] Join EU? 61% 13% 26%
May 2009[53] Join EU? 61% 17% 22%
December 2009[54] Join EU? 65% 14% 21%
June 2010[55] Join EU? 65% 15% 20%
December 2010[56] Join EU? 57% 18% 25%
May 2011[51] Join EU? 55% 27% 18%
June 2011[57][58] Join EU? 53% 24% 23%
September 2011[59][60] Join EU? 46% 37% 17%
December 2011[61][62] Join EU? 51% 28% 21%
December 2012[63] Join EU? 41% 31% 27%
July 2013[64] Join EU? 50% 24% 26%
December 2013[65] Join EU? 51% 22% 27%
June 2014[66] Join EU? 46% 19% 35%
December 2014[67] Join EU? 44% 25% 31%
June 2015[68] Join EU? 49% 28% 23%
December 2015[69] Join EU? 48% 28% 24%
June 2016[70] Join EU? 41% 24% 35%
December 2016[71] Join EU? 47% 29% 24%
June 2017[72] Join EU? 49% 27% 24%
December 2017[73] Join EU? 52% 24% 24%
July 2018[74] Join EU? 55% 21% 24%
December 2018[75] Join EU? 55% 25% 20%
July 2019[76] Join EU? 53% 25% 22%
December 2019[77] Join EU? 54% 24% 22%
December 2022[78] Join EU? 43% 32% 25%
Other Sources on Serbian Support for EU Accession
Date Agency Question Yes No Undecided
2006[79] Gallup Balkan Monitor Join EU? 61%
October 2008[80] Strategic Marketing Join EU? 61%
November 2010[81] Gallup Balkan Monitor Join EU? 63%
March 2012[82] B92/Ipsos Strategic Marketing Join EU? 49% 34% 5%
July 2013[83] Ipsos Strategic Marketing Join EU? 53%
December 2014[84] EU Delegation to Serbia Join EU? 57% 28% 15%
December 2014[85] Eurobarometer Join EU? 58% 26% 16%
August 2017[86] NSPM Join EU? 51.2% 36.3% 12.5%
March 2022[87] IPSOS Join EU? 35% 44% 21%
June 2022[88] Demostat Join EU? 34% 51% 15%
October 2022[89] NSPM Join EU? 34.7% 48.8% 16.5%
January 2023[90] NSPM Join EU? 35.5% 47.7% 16.8%
April 2023[91] NSPM Join EU? 42.7% 44.2% 13.1%
May 2023[92] NSPM Join EU? 40.6% 45.9% 13.5%
June 2023[93] NSPM Join EU? 43.7% 46.7% 9.6%
October 2023[48] Smart Plus Join EU? 44% 30% 15%
February 2024[47] NSPM Join EU? 42.8% 36.8% 20.4%

Visa liberalisation process

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On 1 January 2008, the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreement between Serbia and the EU came into effect. On 19 December 2009, Visa requirements were lifted for Serbs travelling to Schengen countries.

Serbia's foreign relations with EU member states

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See also

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References

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Further reading

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  • Radojičić, Mirjana S. (2015). "Evropska unija i Kosovsko pitanje – međunarodno-etička perspektiva". Zbornik Radova Filozofskog Fakulteta u Prištini. 45 (1): 167–184. doi:10.5937/zrffp45-7157.
  • Samardžić, Slobodan (2009). Samardžić, Slobodan (ed.). "The Kosovo-Metohija problem from the European integrations angle". Serbia in the European Union Association Process, Službeni Glasnik: 193–238.
  • Jovanović Nadica; Gardašević Jovana; Vapa-Tankosić Jelena (2015). "Strategija procesa proširenja Evropske unije i društveno-ekonomski efekti integracije Republike Srbije". Poslovna Ekonomija. 9 (2): 191–212.
  • Gajić, Tamara (2015). "Ulazak Srbije u EU, civilno društvo i politička kultura". Politikon. 10: 119–131.
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