Key facts
- Eight EU member states opposed opening Serbia's next accession cluster, "competitiveness and inclusive growth."
- The opposing countries include the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Croatia.
- Serbia formally applied for EU membership in 2009 and was granted candidate status in 2012.
- Unanimous support from all 27 EU member states is required to open and close negotiating clusters.
- The European Commission believes recent steps taken by Serbia justify opening the cluster, citing reforms in judicial laws, media freedom, and electoral frameworks.
Eight European Union member states have opposed the opening of Serbia's next accession cluster, "competitiveness and inclusive growth," a move that significantly hinders Belgrade's bid to join the bloc. The decision was made during a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on Wednesday.
The countries blocking the opening of Cluster 3 are the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Croatia. Denmark, Luxembourg, and Latvia remain less opposed but unconvinced, while France is among the general supporters of Serbia's accession.
Serbia formally applied for EU membership in 2009 and was granted official candidate status in 2012. To proceed with accession talks, unanimous support from all 27 EU member states is required to open and close negotiating clusters, which group thematic areas of law and policy.
A European Commission spokesperson indicated that the EU executive believes recent steps taken by Serbian authorities justify opening Cluster 3. These steps include repealing controversial judicial law amendments, progress on media freedom, and improvements to the electoral framework. The Commission also noted Serbia's cooperation with the EU on foreign and security policy and its support for Ukraine, despite not aligning with sanctions against Russia. However, the Commission acknowledged that further work is still needed on judicial reform and the prosecutorial system.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has publicly supported opening Cluster 3, citing positive developments and renewing the Commission's recommendation to the Council.