EU Pushes for Faster Engagement with Serbia and Armenia
The European Union is developing a new approach to candidate countries while planning a visit to Armenia and a reset with Serbia.
As elections loom in Serbia, the European Union is signaling readiness for a reset in relations with Belgrade. The move comes after Serbia dropped certain laws that experts warned could undermine democratic standards, opening an opportunity for closer ties with the bloc.
In parallel, the EU is working on a new scheme to keep aspiring members engaged. The plan would offer candidate countries some benefits of EU membership before they officially join—but without the political rights that complicated previous proposals.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also planning a visit to Armenia. The trip is intended to demonstrate Brussels' support for Armenia's pro-European government following a landmark election that dealt a blow to Russian influence in the region.
These initiatives highlight the EU's strategy to expand its influence and solidify relationships with countries showing interest in closer cooperation. The reset with Serbia, support for Armenia, and the new candidate scheme are all part of a broader effort to maintain the bloc's regional leverage while avoiding the pitfalls of previous enlargement models. Analysts suggest this pragmatic approach may be more effective, but it raises questions about the consistency of democratic conditionality.
