Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Tuesday he would not meet European Parliament rapporteurs Tonino Picula and Slovenian MEP Vladimir Prebilić, rejecting claims that he avoids dialogue on Serbia’s EU future.
The statement follows comments from Picula that Vučić had dismissed dialogue on the country’s European integration amid ongoing controversy over the unannounced visit of the European delegation to Serbia. Serbian officials said the delegation did not coordinate dates or seek official permission in advance.
“There was no request for our participation, no consultation on dates. The visit was scheduled a month ago, while I had prior commitments at Davos five months earlier. Why were we not asked and shown at least basic respect?” Vučić said, adding he would meet EU representatives in Switzerland instead.
Vučić, along with parliament speaker Ana Brnabić and members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, criticized the delegation’s approach, saying it disrespected Serbia’s sovereignty. He insisted that Serbia remains on the European path, but that it is his duty to prevent “humiliation of the country.”
Vučić emphasized that his boycott applies only to Picula and Prebilić, and he would not meet them personally. He added that the European Parliament delegation would likely issue another statement on Serbia in February or March, which he said would not affect the country’s EU integration.
Serbia began EU accession negotiations over a decade ago, but progress has stalled, with no new chapters opened in nearly four years. Recent European Commission reports highlighted setbacks in rule of law, judicial reform, media freedom, and anti-corruption measures.