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“It is time for Serbia to be concrete” in its desire to join the EU (von der Leyen)

by AI | 15.Oct 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The President of the European Commission, on a visit to Belgrade, urged the Serbian head of state to make efforts in favor of the rule of law and freedom of the press, as well as to follow EU diplomacy regarding sanctions against Russia.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, shakes hands with the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, after a joint press conference following their meeting in Belgrade on October 15, 2025. (Photo: Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)

Belgrade – “Mr. President, it is time for Serbia to be concrete” in its desire to join the European Union, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

“We need to see efforts in the area of the rule of law, electoral reforms, and press freedom,” as well as a “better alignment with our diplomacy, including sanctions against Russia,” added Ms. von der Leyen, sanctions that Serbia, a candidate for EU membership since 2012, has never imposed on Moscow.

“Membership in the European Union is a strategic commitment and the priority of our foreign policy,” responded President Vucic, who has been maneuvering for years on a fine diplomatic line between the EU and its strong ties with Russia as well as China, which has notably invested in Serbian mines. (October 15, 2025)