A Draft Report on the EU Enlargement Strategy has been presented, stating that Europe must have a strategy rather than just a one-off plan. Slobodan Zečević, Director of the Institute for European Studies, told RTS that this is a favourable document for candidate countries, and that enlargement now represents peace, stability and economic security for the EU.
The Draft Enlargement Strategy Report highlights that some countries striving for membership have held candidate status for years, and some Members of the European Parliament emphasise that Europe must have a genuine enlargement strategy, not merely a short-term plan.
The Draft also states that unresolved bilateral issues between EU member states and non-member states should be settled bilaterally and must not be used as leverage to block candidate countries’ accession processes.
Appearing on RTS’s Morning Programme, Slobodan Zečević said that he had not seen such a favourable document regarding the admission of new members for a long time.
“My impression is that the EU wants to showcase all the benefits of membership and make accession easier in the coming period. It is very important that the bilateral problems between two countries, one being a member and the other not, cannot be used to block the admission of a new member,” Zečević noted.
According to him, in Serbia’s case this would mean that Croatia and Bulgaria would no longer be able to block its path towards the EU.
“The document now highlights that EU membership is not only advantageous for the candidate country but also for the Union itself, as it contributes to peace, stability and economic development,” Zečević added.
Reforms of the Union
Speaking about the future of the EU, Zečević said that the Union needs reform, including its migration policy, which is perceived negatively in many member states, as well as its efficiency, specifically qualified-majority voting, which would also help Serbia to open Cluster 3.
He pointed out that defence must also be reformed, alongside increased spending, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine.
“I believe the EU has realised that it must expand across the entire continent in order to strengthen economic stability and security, and that everyone living on European soil should become a member – except Turkey, as it belongs to Islamic culture,” Zečević argued.
He added that Serbia must adopt the necessary legislation to align with the EU in order to be technically ready for membership.
“The enlargement process has become strategically important for the EU as a whole – that is the message of the European Parliament. Such a position would not be possible without the consensus of Germany, France and Italy on this issue, as the driving forces of the Union,” Zečević emphasised.
(RTS, 25.11.2025)
https://www.rts.rs/lat/vesti/politika/5833334/zecevic-prosirenje-eu-srbija-balkan.html