The Rocky Road of Serbia to the European Union’s Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice

What is it about?

European Union granted Serbia candidate status in 2012. Four years later, Serbia opened chapter 24 on justice and home affairs and opted to use that political chance to become a part of the European security community. Thus, reforms in migration, asylum, police, customs and judicial cooperation, and the fight against organized crime, terrorism and drugs started and will charge a minimum of 50 million euros to European Union and Serbian taxpayers. Many positive changes will happen by reforming policy areas in chapter 24. The negative impact of security challenges on socio-economic development will be mitigated. Good security governance and criminal justice reform will increase the perception of the safety of citizens, and it will affect the democratization of the security sector and society. Within reforms of Serbia, European Union practically tackled their challenges of migration, border control, organized crime, and terrorism. Five years after opening negotiating chapter, the government’s performance is better in policy areas where simultaneously exist the European Union insistence and political calculation of national policy-makers to benefit in domestic and international politics. Serbia performs migration and asylum reforms better than policing and fighting organized crime. Police reform is essential for chapter 24 but is not targeted at the crucial European Union request asking police to be held accountable and immune from organized crime and political influence.

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