Đurić: Serbia and the region ready for a new cycle of EU enlargement

09. Dec 2025.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko Đurić, stated at the GLOBSEC forum “BELTALKS: Belgrade Economic Talks” that the year 2026 should be used as a strong impetus for the European Union’s enlargement policy—not only for Serbia, but for the entire region—underscoring that enlargement must be a geopolitical decision.

Minister Đurić assessed that the Berlin Process has, over the past years, provided a stable platform for regional cooperation, irrespective of internal political dynamics, and that Serbia, as a country with eight immediate neighbors, bears a special responsibility for preserving regional stability. According to him, this format remains essential for strengthening dialogue and connectivity across the region.

“The Berlin Process is not an alternative to the EU accession process; however, regional cooperation in various formats is suffering under the weight of the emerging euroscepticism, which is a matter of serious concern,” Đurić emphasized. He added that 2026 represents an opportunity for the entire region to gain renewed momentum toward Europe.

Đurić recalled that Serbia has, in recent months, implemented significant reforms in the areas of media, electoral legislation, and energy, and that the European Commission has, for the fifth consecutive time, recommended the opening of Cluster 3. Opening this cluster in the coming period, he noted, would serve as a significant boost for Serbian society to dedicate 2026 to full commitment to European integration, whereas the opposite outcome could further fuel euroscepticism.

Reflecting on the challenges of the past year, Đurić noted that it was particularly difficult for the region, and especially for Serbia, due to political polarization and internal pressures. Nevertheless, he stressed that Serbia has managed to use the European integration process as a mechanism for steering the country toward a positive and reform-oriented agenda. He underlined that Serbia’s progress toward the EU is not solely the responsibility of the Government, but of society as a whole—including the opposition and civil sector.

“We want to build a society in which young people will wish to stay and build their future. That is why we must continue with reforms, institutional strengthening, and economic and social mobility,” the Serbian Foreign Minister stated.

Emphasizing that Serbia seeks to be an active and reliable partner to the European family of nations, Đurić concluded that the best year for Serbia’s progress on the European path will be the one in which we demonstrate the greatest resolve.