European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic that the EU's position is “of freedom, not repression“, emphasizing the right to peaceful assembly as a fundamental European principle, the Serbian edition of En1 TV reported, BTA reports.
“We are for partnership, not subordination”, said Von der Leyen, calling on Serbia to accelerate reforms on the path to EU membership.
She pointed out that the prospect of membership brings peace, prosperity and solidarity, especially in times of crisis. Von der Leyen recalled the EU's efforts during the 2022 energy crisis, when Western Balkan partners received the same support as member states.
“We are connecting Serbia to the EU energy market - this ensures that Serbian families will be safe and warm”, she said, adding that Belgrade has been invited to join the gas supply mechanism.
Von der Leyen stressed that now is a key moment for Serbia to take decisive steps in the areas of the rule of law, media and electoral legislation. She welcomed the progress on the electoral register and the work of the Council for Electronic Media, but noted that the practical implementation of reforms was crucial.
Serbs were also called for greater harmonisation with EU foreign policy, including on sanctions against Russia, with Von der Leyen specifying that the current level of coherence was around 61 percent.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić confirmed that Serbia remained committed to the European path, defining it as a “strategic priority“. He pointed out that the EU is Serbia's largest investor and trading partner, with 54.5% of Western Balkans exports to the EU coming from Serbia, while 48.5% of Serbian exports go to Germany, Italy, Romania and Hungary.
Vučić added that the country would continue to build energy infrastructure with the EU and diversify energy sources, expecting support from Brussels. He also said he had sent a letter to von der Leyen requesting that Serbia be exempted from steel tariffs.
“The police react only as a last resort and with minimal use of force — this is the European way“, Vucic said, noting that there have been no casualties in the country during mass protests for 11 months.
The president described von der Leyen's visit as a confirmation of mutual trust and partnership between Serbia and the EU, expressing gratitude for the clear message that a European future can become a reality for all peoples sharing EU values.
Von der Leyen arrived in Belgrade after a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, part of a regional tour of the Western Balkans aimed at accelerating the European integration of the countries in the region. She is expected to arrive in Kosovo today.