EU to Withhold €1.5 Billion from Serbia Over Reform Concerns
The European Union is preparing to withhold a €1.5 billion allocation from Serbia’s “Growth Plan” due to concerns over the country’s progress on pro-European reforms, according to reports. The decision is expected to be formally announced today by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos during a meeting of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET). Serbian media outlet N1 reports that the dispute centers primarily on judicial reforms, which remain contested.
The funds, intended to support economic development within Serbia, are currently unavailable. Commissioner Kos has already indicated that the approval and implementation of the recently debated “Mrdiq Laws” represent a step backwards for Serbia’s alignment with EU standards. She has requested a legal suspension of the laws’ implementation.
The Venice Commission is currently reviewing the legislation, and its opinion will be a key factor in the final EU decision. The potential loss of this billion euro investment highlights ongoing challenges for the Serbian government in meeting EU accession criteria. Further developments are anticipated following the Venice Commission’s assessment.
Topics: #serbia #serbian #billion
