A European Commission push to advance Serbia's European Union accession process has failed to secure the backing of member states, exposing divisions within the bloc over whether Belgrade has made sufficient progress on rule of law reforms, Politico reported on July 6.

The Commission had sought approval from EU ambassadors to open Cluster 3 of Serbia's accession negotiations, covering competitiveness and inclusive growth, arguing that recent judicial and electoral reforms warranted progress in the country's long-stalled membership talks.

However, several member states remained unconvinced, with the Netherlands prepared to block the move over concerns about Serbia's democratic record, judicial independence and close ties with Russia, according to a Politico report published on July 6, citing diplomats and EU officials.

The setback comes despite Serbia's parliament adopting amendments on June 25 to controversial judicial legislation that had drawn criticism from the EU and legal experts earlier this year. The government said the changes aligned the laws with recommendations from the Council of Europe's Venice Commission after partially reversing provisions that critics said weakened judicial independence.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos defended the Commission's recommendation during a debate in the European Parliament on July 7, saying Serbia had recently taken "a step in the right direction" by amending the disputed legislation and making progress on electoral reforms.

"We do not want to see Serbia fall behind, and that is why, in light of the latest positive developments, the Commission has renewed its recommendations to the Council to open Cluster 3," Kos said.

She said Serbia had made tangible progress in implementing recommendations from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), including amendments to election legislation, while work continued on laws governing political party financing and anti-corruption measures.

Kos said further progress was still needed on media freedom, fundamental rights, electoral reforms and ensuring civil society could operate freely.

According to Politico, the Commission concluded in an internal briefing that Serbia had remedied the backsliding associated with the January judicial laws. However, a separate Commission assessment also highlighted concerns over pressure on journalists and civil society organisations, as well as a lack of progress in major corruption investigations, including the probe into the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that killed 16 people in November 2024.

Serbian officials argued that opening the negotiating cluster would reinforce pro-European reforms.

EU Integration Minister Nemanja Starović told Politico that Serbia had been effectively blocked from advancing its accession talks for nearly five years despite implementing reforms, warning that another delay would strengthen anti-European political forces.

Foreign Minister Marko Đurić said Serbia remained committed to reforms and that enlargement was "mutually beneficial" for both Serbia and the EU.

President Aleksandar Vučić struck a pessimistic tone on July 7, saying Serbia did not expect to join the bloc in the coming years.

"I know that in the next one, two, three, four or five years we will not be full members," Vučić told reporters in Belgrade, according to Beta news agency.

He said Serbia should focus on delivering practical benefits for its citizens through greater access to the EU's single market and closer economic integration, rather than concentrating solely on formal membership.

Without unanimous backing from all 27 member states, the Commission is expected to consider alternative ways of recognising Serbia's recent reforms while accession negotiations remain stalled.