The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, described the victory of the Student List in the parliamentary elections in Serbia as an opportunity for a new start in the country’s European integration process.
In an interview for TVP World, Kos said that the priorities announced by the winning students for the rule of law, democracy, free media and the fight against corruption coincide with the demands that the European Union has had for Serbia for years in the framework of membership negotiations.
“Serbia has been a candidate country for more than ten years, but instead of moving forward, in some areas it has taken steps behind, precisely in the sectors that were essential for the victory of the Student List”, declared Kos.
She described the students’ election result as “excellent”, stressing that their demands are in line with the standards that the European Union expects from a candidate country.
“Students were looking for what we are looking for from Serbia in the accession process: the rule of law, democracy, free media and the fight against corruption. This victory could be a new beginning for Serbia on the European road”, said the commissioner.
Kos recalled that, according to the assessment of the European Commission, Serbia has met the technical conditions for the opening of Group 3 of negotiating chapters, but progress has been blocked by deficiencies in Group 1, known as “Basics”, which includes the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions and fundamental rights.
“In order to move forward with the opening and closing of chapters, the basic criteria must be met. This is also what I heard from the head of the Student List, Ilija Srdanović, who told me that these issues are among their top priorities,” she said.
Asked about the position of the List of Students regarding the sanctions against Russia, Kos admitted that this could pose a challenge in relations with the European Union.
“If a candidate country does not harmonize its strategic interests with those of the European Union, it will be difficult to advance in the membership process. However, we have not yet started talks with the new government and it remains to be seen how this issue will develop”, declared the Commissioner for Enlargement.
Marta Kos’ statements come after the elections in Serbia, where the List of Students has emerged as the winner, opening a new chapter in the country’s political scene and raising expectations for the renewal of Belgrade’s European agenda.
