Brussels Portal: Serbia Could Lose Up to 1.5 Billion Euros from EU Funds
Serbia could lose up to 1.5 billion euros from European Union funds as the European Commission considers suspending payments due to backsliding in democracy and the country's close ties with Russia, the Brussels portal Politiko writes.
TL;DR
- Serbia risks losing up to 1.5 billion euros from EU funds as the European Commission reviews payment suspensions.
- Concerns cited by EU Commissioner Marta Kos include judicial reforms undermining independence, suppression of protesters, and interference with independent media.
- The Commission is assessing if Serbia meets conditions for EU financial instruments, with increasing pressure within the Commission to freeze funds.
- Recent Serbian judicial reforms, criticism of election processes, and clashes with police have heightened tensions.
- Serbia's close ties with Russia and a perceived 'anti-EU narrative' at high political levels have also contributed to the EU's growing dissatisfaction.
- The Venice Commission's upcoming opinion on Serbia's judicial laws could trigger the freezing of funds.
- Serbia, an EU candidate country, has received over 586 million euros in grants from the EU between 2021-2024 and up to 1.5 billion euros conditional on reforms.