Introduction
Serbia has made a bold move as it continues to pursue European Union (EU) membership status. Recently, the Balkan country aligned its key visa policies with those of the EU’s standards.
In particular, it implemented visa requirements for nationals of Kuwait, Mongolia, Oman, and Qatar. With this step, it expresses its commitment to meeting EU accession requirements.
Serbia EU Accession Path
It was in 2009 when Serbia officially applied for EU membership. Afterward, negotiations to join the bloc started in 2013. Later, in January 2014 saw the first intergovernmental conference, which marked the start of accession negotiations.
Since then, the country must harmonize national policies with EU standards, serving as a key requirement. Correspondingly, visa policy alignment is crucial for its progress. Without full compliance, its membership chances would remain slim.
Serbia Aligns Visa Policy
In a targeted move, Serbia imposed visa requirements on Mongolia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Although it previously had visa-free regimes with these countries, EU pressure prompted the change.
Moreover, officials confirmed a plan to fully align visa policies with the EU by 2026. Thus, the Balkan country is clearly pushing to speed up its integration.
Alignment Implications
The new visa rules may reduce tourism from Mongolia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. However, Serbia views full EU integration as a long-term gain. Additionally, aligning with EU visa lists will boost Serbia’s standing in Brussels.
Despite potential short-term losses, Serbia prioritizes political alignment over immediate economic benefits. As a result, it could experience tension in its relations with some non-EU partners.
EU Perspective, Expectations
The European Parliament has urged Serbia to align its visa policies urgently with EU standards. In particular, the EU stresses alignment against countries posing security risks.
Other countries that may need to comply with tighter Serbia visa requirements include Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Russia, and Turkey. Should this be the case, however, it will complicate travel arrangements for such international visitors.
Furthermore, Brussels expects Serbia to match its foreign policy, especially regarding sanctions on Russia. Clearly, Serbia’s EU journey involves more than just domestic reforms. Political loyalty matters too.
According to the EU’s 2024 enlargement report on Serbia, relevant EU integration process institutions are performing well. But the early election caused a slump in reforms and sparked new challenges.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Nevertheless, Serbia faces complex challenges. For instance, it has traditionally enjoyed strong ties with Russia and China. Therefore, balancing these relations while meeting EU expectations will be difficult.
On a separate note, President Aleksandar Vučić has recently expressed skepticism about Serbia’s EU entry before 2030. Although progress is visible, serious political hurdles still remain. Hence, full membership may take a while longer.
Future Outlook for Serbia
Serbia’s recent visa policy changes underline its commitment to joining the EU. However, full alignment will demand even tougher choices ahead.
Even though Serbia moves closer to Brussels, political and diplomatic hurdles remain. Moving forward, the next few years will be crucial for Serbia’s European dream.
Photo by Carl Campbell on Unsplash
