Austrian Minister Highlights Serbia's Judicial Reform as Model for EU Aspirants
During a visit to Belgrade, Austria's Minister for European Affairs commended Serbia's recently adopted judicial reforms, describing them as a benchmark for institutional independence among EU candidate countries. The meeting between the Austrian minister and her Serbian counterpart focused on Serbia's progress toward aligning its legal and judicial frameworks with European Union standards, a key requirement for advancing EU accession talks.
Serbia, often regarded as a challenging candidate in the Western Balkans, has recently implemented a new constitution for its judiciary. The reforms are intended to enhance the independence of judges and prosecutors, addressing longstanding concerns over political influence within the legal system. Serbian officials stated that these changes fulfill significant criteria laid out by the EU for membership negotiations, especially regarding the principle of separation of powers and judicial impartiality.
The Serbian government aims to fully implement the EU acquis communautaire--the comprehensive body of EU laws and regulations--by the end of 2026. Officials emphasized that the new judicial constitution is designed to meet European expectations for transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. This move is seen as a step toward overcoming persistent obstacles in opening negotiation chapters, particularly those concerning the freedom to provide services within the EU.
The reforms come amid ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Serbia, with citizens expressing frustration over widespread corruption and the lack of accountability following incidents such as the fatal collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad, which resulted in significant loss of life. Despite public discontent and calls for greater transparency, Serbian authorities maintain that the adopted measures mark tangible progress toward EU integration.
Austria reaffirmed its support for Serbia's European aspirations, highlighting the benefits of close cooperation, particularly in areas such as migration management and security. The Austrian minister met with Austrian law enforcement officers stationed at the Serbia-North Macedonia border, who are involved in joint operations to combat illegal migration and human trafficking. These efforts, supported by technology such as thermal imaging cameras and drones, have led to a substantial reduction in unauthorized border crossings in recent years.
Serbia has committed significant resources to tackling organized crime and smuggling networks, with thousands of police officers deployed in specialized units. Authorities reported a marked decrease in the number of intercepted migrants compared to previous years, reflecting the effectiveness of these joint initiatives with EU partners.
The Austrian minister's visit to Serbia was part of a larger tour of Western Balkan countries, underscoring Austria's commitment to supporting regional stability and EU enlargement. In discussions with Serbian parliamentary leaders and government officials, both sides recognized the importance of ongoing reforms and mutual cooperation as prerequisites for advancing Serbia's EU accession process.
Serbia's leadership reiterated their dedication to comprehensive legislative reforms, aiming to harmonize national laws with EU standards. Emphasis was placed on the government's intention to enact a broad range of new regulations in parliament, ensuring alignment with EU legal norms by the targeted deadline. At the same time, Serbian officials highlighted the challenges posed by unresolved regional disputes, notably the issue of territorial integrity in relation to Kosovo, as ongoing factors affecting the pace of integration.
The Austrian delegation also visited other Western Balkan capitals, strengthening diplomatic ties and encouraging continued progress among all candidate countries. The series of visits is intended to reinforce the message that meaningful reforms and adherence to European values are essential for advancing toward full EU membership.