EU Countries Postpone Decision on Opening Cluster 3, Encourage Serbia to Continue Reforms

European Union member states have postponed the decision to open Cluster 3 (Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth). According to the conclusions of the EU Presidency on enlargement, the Council will return to the issue of opening this cluster in line with the negotiating framework.

17.12.2025. 13:16

EU Countries Postpone Decision on Opening Cluster 3, Encourage Serbia to Continue Reforms
Foto: Envato

The EU Presidency statement recalls that significant further progress by Belgrade is required in the areas of the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Pristina, which, it is stated, will continue to determine the overall pace of accession negotiations.

It is also noted that the enlargement conclusions were not adopted, as the proposed draft Council conclusions did not receive the support of all EU member states; the text was supported by 26 out of 27 member states.

In the conclusions, the Council noted the overall progress Serbia has achieved so far in the accession negotiations, with 22 out of 35 negotiating chapters opened and two chapters provisionally closed, while acknowledging the Commission’s assessment that Serbia maintains its level of preparedness regarding the opening benchmarks within Cluster 3.

It is further stated that Serbia needs to significantly accelerate reforms in the area of the rule of law and consistently implement the adopted laws on the media and the unified voter register.

The Council calls for the easing of tensions and “deep polarization” in Serbian society, expresses regret over setbacks in the area of freedom of expression and media, and calls for concrete and tangible reforms in the field of the rule of law.

The Council welcomes the fact that EU integration remains Serbia’s strategic goal and expects Serbia to demonstrate strong political will and consistency in implementing EU-related reforms, as well as objective and unambiguous communication about the EU. Although reforms slowed significantly over the past year, the Council notes certain recent positive developments and encourages Serbia to continue this trend.

Serbia last opened a cluster in its EU accession negotiations four years ago, in December 2021.

Denmark will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU until the end of the year, after which Cyprus will assume the Presidency on 1st January.

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