The European Union is preparing to suspend €1.5 billion in funding intended for Serbia under its Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, in a move linked to concerns over controversial judicial reforms and the country’s broader direction on its EU path.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos is expected to formally present the position at today’s meeting of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. The funding freeze, however, is not yet the final step. A definitive decision is expected only after the Venice Commission issues its opinion on the disputed legislation known as the “Mrdić laws.”
Kos has already made clear that the adoption and implementation of these laws represent a setback for Serbia’s European integration process. She has also called for their application to be halted through legal means, signaling growing concern in Brussels over the country’s reform trajectory.
The warning extends beyond Serbia. All six Western Balkan countries could collectively lose access to more than €700 million if they fail to complete the required reform commitments by June 30. These obligations were originally supposed to be fulfilled by the end of June last year, but the deadline was later extended.
According to the information presented, the European Commission wants to use today’s meeting to send a direct message to the region: time is running out. Unless the outstanding reforms are completed within the new deadline, countries across the Western Balkans risk missing out on substantial financial support tied to their reform agendas and EU-related commitments.
