September 19, 2025

On Thursday, 18th September 20205, the European Movement in Serbia held a public debate at the Europe House titled “European Lesson for Serbia: Lost Time or a New Opportunity?”. The debate welcomed Sandro Gozi, Secretary General of the European Democratic Party and Member of the European Parliament, Bojana Selaković, Coordinator of the National Convention on the EU, Nemanja Štiplija, Editor of the “European Western Balkans” portal, and Katarina Bogićević, President of the Youth Forum of the European Movement in Serbia and JEF Serbia.

In her opening remarks, Dragana Đurica, Secretary General of the European Movement in Serbia emphasized that EU enlargement must be a moral as much as a political project, calling on the EU to give unequivocal support to citizens fighting for democracy and the rule of law.

Sandro Gozi stressed that the EU stands with the citizens of Serbia and wants to see the country in the Union, while at the same time criticizing authorities for moving away from European values. He particularly praised the courage of students and civil society in Serbia and announced that European Democrats have nominated Serbian students for the Sakharov Prize, awarded by the European Parliament, for putting a spotlight on long-term problems. He also condemned the repression of peaceful demonstrators.

Student representative Mila Jovanović from the Faculty of Political Sciences thanked Members of the European Parliament for their solidarity and criticized the European Commission for its lack of adequate response to the authoritarian actions of the regime. She underlined that “the truth cannot be silenced” and that students will not give up their struggle for a democratic Serbia.

Bojana Selaković noted that public support for EU integration is in decline, attributing responsibility both to the government and the EU itself. She highlighted that civil society plays a key role in restoring citizens’ trust and emphasized that without the EU, the region cannot achieve sustainable peace.

Nemanja Štiplija criticized the authorities for their lack of genuine intent to bring Serbia into the EU, pointing to corruption, democratic backsliding, and complete government control of the media as factors pushing the country further away from membership.

Katarina Bogićević warned that the EU must react more consistently to human rights violations in Serbia and expressed concern over the rise of far-right attitudes among young people. She stressed that human dignity must remain a fundamental pillar of European integration and that EU leniency toward the authorities undermines young people’s trust.

The European Movement in Serbia thanks all participants for their contributions and calls on EU institutions to provide stronger and clearer support to the citizens of Serbia on their European path.