Serbia faces potential EU fund suspension over ties with Russia

Serbia could lose up to €1.5 billion in European Union funds due to concerns from the European Commission over democratic backsliding and Belgrade’s close ties with Moscow.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said that Brussels is increasingly concerned about the situation in Serbia, citing laws that undermine judicial independence, pressure on the media, and ongoing protests, CE Report quotes FENA.

The Commission is considering whether the country still meets the conditions for payments from EU financial instruments.

Serbia’s ambassador to the EU, Danijel Apostolović, said he is “confident there will be no suspension” and stressed that Belgrade remains committed to full EU membership, adding that Serbia will follow the recommendations of the Venice Commission once they are published later this month, according to Politico.

Kos warned that laws on restructuring courts and appointing judges and prosecutors represent a serious step backward. The Venice Commission is expected to issue an opinion that could serve as a basis for freezing funds.

Civil society organizations warn that media freedom and the rule of law in Serbia are “barely being kept alive.” The EU has already criticized the authorities over violence and irregularities in local elections and police raids at a university.

Serbia has received more than €7 billion in EU funds since 2000, while €586 million in grants were allocated between 2021 and 2024.

An additional €1.5 billion is available, conditional on the implementation of reforms.