Quo vadis, Serbia? Perspectives of the Serbian process of European integration

Abstract

The article analyzes Serbia's European integration process, first addressing the steps that must be taken to become a member of the EU, and the progress that this country has already made (association and stabilization agreement, and candidate status for the adhesion). The challenges that await it are then analyzed (opening and closing of negotiations, and signing of the Accession Treaty), and a series of particularities of the Serbian case that condition its European integration process (tradition of non-alignment, dual character of the country, relations with Russia, influence of the Kosovo issue, recent change of government, among others). Finally, an estimate is made of the time that may remain until Serbia becomes a member of the EU, and two conclusions are established: contrary to what is usually considered, the current Serbian government could be a factor of progress instead of a brake on European integration, and the obstacles to it could come in the future not from Belgrade but from Brussels.