Representatives of the European Parliament and members of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) met in Strasbourg as part of the Parliamentary Committee on Stabilisation and Association. Although the committee formally includes four members of the pro-European opposition, none of them attended the meeting. Speaking to Nova, opposition representatives explained the reasons for their absence and discussed the issues raised during the talks.
Representatives of the European Parliament met SNS MPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday within the framework of the Parliamentary Committee on Stabilisation and Association (POSA). Among the topics discussed were the ODIHR recommendations and the opinions of the Venice Commission regarding amendments to a package of judicial laws. However, opposition representatives did not attend the meeting.
“We met after several months to exchange views on what progress has, or has not, been achieved. Friends from the Serbian Parliament came, while on the other side there was a delegation from the European Parliament. Every six months we exchange views. There are many topics. We will continue discussions tomorrow in order to adopt a joint position from both sides,” Green MEP Vladimir Prebilič told N1 on Wednesday, adding that opposition representatives had been expected to attend.
“We expected the opposition to be present, but nobody came. There was one representative from the Eurosceptic party POKS, who expressed views with which we strongly disagreed, and we said so openly. This was an opportunity that was wasted. I think it was a protest by the opposition, which chose not to come to Strasbourg. I expected more MPs. Members of the EPP were also absent. Everyone else sat in the chamber and exchanged views. We discussed the Venice Commission and the implementation of recommendations, which is not proceeding as it should, as well as the adoption of ODIHR recommendations and other issues. Things became a little tense when we discussed claims that the EU is blackmailing Serbia – that is simply not the case.”
Prebilič also confirmed that SNS MPs interpreted the discussion as a form of pressure.
According to Nova’s well-informed source, one of the topics discussed at the meeting was the package of judicial laws commonly referred to as the “Mrdić laws”.
“There were discussions about cooperation with China and Russia, and the scandal in Tivat was also raised. Representatives of the government were told that MEPs would not accept cosmetic changes aimed merely at unlocking funds from the Growth Plan. Instead, they expect government representatives to support genuine and substantive reforms. SNS MPs were also told that European Parliament members would not support further EU integration or the opening of new negotiating clusters unless conditions for the proper functioning of institutions, media freedom and the rule of law are genuinely ensured. Regarding elections, they were told that equal conditions for all participants are expected. Among other things, a package of proposals for Serbia was also discussed,” the source told Nova.
Đorđe Stanković of the National Movement of Serbia (NPS) told Nova that attention was likely focused on the SNS and the legislation that needs to be adopted in Parliament in line with European Union requirements. “I believe many of the discussions also concerned developments in Tivat. I do not think this POSA meeting contained many crucial revelations. It probably relied on agreements that still need to be reached. What matters much more is what happens over the next month or two. In that context, the next POSA meeting, which will take place in September or October, will be far more important, and we will certainly attend it,” Stanković explained.
Biljana Đorđević, co-president of the Green-Left Front (ZLF) and a member of the committee, told Nova that the purpose of the meeting was to assess the state of Serbia’s European integration process. “However, thanks in particular to the efforts of the Green-Left Front and colleagues from other pro-European parties, the situation is already well known in the European Parliament, which will separately consider the report of the rapporteur for Serbia at its next plenary session. Reports on all other Western Balkan countries have already been discussed. At present, it is more important that Serbian citizens understand the harmful consequences that Serbia’s regression in the European integration process will have for them and their children,” Đorđević said, noting that these discussions take place twice a year, once in Strasbourg and once in Belgrade.
Borko Stefanović, deputy president of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), told Nova that the meeting focused on what Serbia must do as a candidate country seeking EU membership.
Why was the opposition absent?
Asked about his absence from the Strasbourg meeting and whether it represented the “opposition protest” described by Prebilič, Đorđe Stanković said that neither he nor Miroslav Aleksić had been able to attend because of previously scheduled commitments.
“We always respond to invitations and maintain regular communication with everyone in the European Parliament. In fact, I met with Prebilič about a month ago. We understand how these things work and what topics are usually discussed. Unfortunately, these processes are often controlled by the SNS, which has its own representative as the leader of that group. In this particular case, however, it was simply a matter of circumstances that prevented us from attending,” said the NPS deputy president.
Đorđević was also absent from the meeting because, as she explained, she had court obligations related to legal proceedings she is pursuing against Informer television.
Asked why he did not attend the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Stabilisation and Association, Stefanović said the reason was that the SNS wanted exclusive control over the delegation and sought to structure it in such a way that there would either be no opposition members present or only representatives of a so-called “opposition”.
“It was their attempt to simulate dialogue, but from the positions they presented it is absolutely clear that they do not understand where the problem lies, and the problem is with them. The European People’s Party was not there either, even though the SNS is still part of that political family,” Stefanović concluded.
(Nova.rs, 19.06.2026)