Minister for European Integration: We View Brussels’ Criticism as Reform Guidelines

The latest European Commission report on the rule of law in Serbia contains a number of criticisms related to the independence of regulatory bodies, political pressure on the judiciary, the fight against corruption, and the transparency of public procurement.

"This is a relatively new mechanism primarily used by the European Union to assess member states, and since last year, some candidate countries, including Serbia, have also been included," Starovic explained.

He added that although candidate countries do not receive formal recommendations through this report, the content related to Serbia is taken seriously and analyzed within the framework of ongoing reform processes.

The European Commission expressed concern over the insufficiently effective fight against high-level corruption, particularly highlighting the rarity of investigations and convictions, as well as the low rate of asset seizures. In response, Starovic stated that state institutions have already launched a comprehensive action in that area.

Foto: Milena Đorđević

"Since the beginning of the year, we have seen tangible results – numerous investigations, arrests, and proceedings. The legal framework is solid, but greater efficiency and coordination among competent bodies are needed," said the Minister for European Integration.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening a “culture of integrity,” which, in his words, begins at home and in schools.

Public Procurement Under Special Scrutiny

Criticism was also directed at the public procurement system, particularly regarding exemptions in major infrastructure projects carried out through intergovernmental agreements.

"The Law on Public Procurement is strict and systemically well-designed. However, exemptions exist in the case of agreements with foreign countries, which is not unique to Serbia. Without these arrangements, it would be difficult to maintain our current pace of infrastructure development," said Starovic, citing examples of cooperation with China.

Pressure on the Judiciary

The European Commission specifically pointed out political pressure on the judiciary and inadequate responses from the High Judicial Council to public statements made by state officials. Starovic recalled that Serbia has already implemented significant constitutional changes aimed at increasing the independence of judicial institutions.

Foto: Milena Đorđević

"In January 2022, through a referendum, we amended the Constitution to further distance the judiciary from the influence of the executive and legislative branches. The implementation of these changes is ongoing and represents an important step in aligning with European standards," he stated.

A Useful Message from Brussels

Starovic concluded that the European Commission’s report should be viewed within the broader context of the EU’s internal situation. He noted that serious issues regarding the rule of law and public perception of the judiciary also exist within member states, showing that these challenges are universal.

"The Eurobarometer shows that 69 percent of EU citizens believe corruption is widespread in their countries. That’s why we interpret reports like this as guidelines, not solely as criticism," Starovic concluded.

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