Serbia wants to join the EU, but has no intention of "begging" for membership – Foreign Minister

Belgrade plans to complete all administrative and technical procedures for integration into the European Union by the end of this year. 

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić made this statement during a visit to Prague, according to Bloomberg. 

The official emphasized that the country will soon adopt another package of necessary laws, demonstrating its commitment to reforms.

Despite its desire to join the bloc, Đurić stressed that Serbia does not intend to “beg” Brussels for EU membership. He noted that the country is fulfilling its obligations, but the final decision on enlargement depends entirely on the political will of the EU member states. In this way, Belgrade is attempting to balance technical readiness with the preservation of its own diplomatic dignity.

At the same time, Serbia continues to maneuver in its relations with the West and Russia, which often becomes a subject of discussion within the European integration process. Unlike countries that demonstrate unconditional loyalty to the EU’s course, Belgrade emphasizes its desire to be an equal partner, not a supplicant. Meeting all criteria by the end of 2026 remains the government’s top administrative priority.

The European Commission planned to accelerate the accession of six Western Balkan countries to the European Union. In 2018, it was expected that Serbia and Montenegro would join the Union by 2025.

The German Chancellor stated that the European Union should grant accession to the Western Balkan countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and eventually Georgia.