The pace of political developments in Serbia is very rapid, said European Union Ambassador Andreas von Beckerath in his speech at the 2025 Belgrade Security Conference. Precisely because events unfold so quickly, he stressed, conferences like the BSC are essential spaces to pause, reflect, and take stock of where the region and Europe are heading.
Ambassador von Beckerath reminded the audience that the European Commission is guided by three overarching objectives: security, competitiveness, and sustainability. Russia’s aggression, he said, has fundamentally changed Europe’s strategic landscape. As a result, EU enlargement has become a geopolitical necessity.
Enlargement is no longer a question of whether, but of how fast. This pace depends on both the candidate countries and the EU. While the EU already treats candidate countries as close partners, Ambassador von Beckerath emphasized that there are no shortcuts: the process must remain rigorous and credible.
Reform is required on both sides – within the EU and within candidate countries. The rule of law, the fight against corruption, and freedom of expression are not abstract concepts, he stressed, but core foundations of the European project. The EU’s interests and values do not contradict one another, which is why enlargement cannot be reduced to a matter of either values or interests.
Enlargement, he said, is ultimately a question of political choice. Joining the EU is not only about accessing the single market; it requires alignment on foreign and security policy. For this reason, policy alignment is not symbolic, but a signal of Serbia’s long-term strategic orientation.
The EU expects to see a clearer and more consistent signal from Serbia – just as from all candidate countries – especially regarding support for Ukraine.
Serbia, according to Ambassador von Beckerath, is at a crucial moment. Reform momentum has slowed considerably. To move forward, political leadership is needed to protect democratic space, strengthen media freedom, and reaffirm Serbia’s geopolitical direction. A secure Europe cannot be built without the Western Balkans, he emphasized. Trust, sustainability, and continued reforms are the pillars on which this shared future must rest.
In closing, Ambassador von Beckerath warned that Europe cannot afford to lose the current momentum for enlargement. Preserving this momentum requires courage – courage to pursue reforms and to defend the values that the European Union and its partners aspire to share.
For further reference, please consult Ambassador’s full speech at the Conference
