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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday that the most effective way for the European Union to expand would be to admit all Western Balkan countries as full members at the same time.
He argued that partial accession would leave unresolved disputes and threaten long-term stability across the region.
Speaking at a forum in Belgrade, Vucic said he will present the proposal during upcoming meetings in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.
“The best option for the EU would be to admit all the Western Balkan countries as full members at the same time,” Vucic said.
“If you admit two or three countries in the region, what will happen to the others? How will the open questions be resolved? I think mutual admission is the best solution and would contribute to regional stability.”
Vucic also reiterated that Serbia “values peace and stability above all” and said the country would not enter any conflict during his mandate, which ends in 2027.
The Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) have been engaged in the EU integration process for over two decades.
Montenegro and Serbia have formally opened accession negotiations, while North Macedonia and Albania began talks in 2022 and are awaiting further progress.
Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted candidate status in 2022 but has yet to start formal negotiations.
Kosovo remains the only country in the region that has not received candidate status.
EU leaders have repeatedly declared that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the bloc. However, internal divisions within the EU and slow reform progress in candidate countries have delayed enlargement momentum.
Vucic also addressed the impact of U.S. sanctions targeting the Serbian Petroleum Industry (NIS), a refinery majority-owned by Russia’s Gazprom Neft. The facility is expected to halt operations unless a solution is found by mid-January.
“We have three options,” Vucic said. “The first is for the U.S. to lift sanctions, which is a very difficult possibility. The second is for Russia to sell its shares to its partners, which I hope they will do. The last option is for us, as a state, to step in on Jan. 15.”
He emphasized that while Serbia faces “serious difficulties” without the refinery, nationalizing NIS is not being considered.
Vucic said the state could purchase Russia’s stake if no alternative is agreed upon.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Jan. 10 as part of efforts to limit Russia’s energy revenue under G7 commitments. The measures targeted Russian oil giants Gazprom Neft, Surgutneftegas, and their subsidiaries—including Serbia’s NIS.
Belgrade had previously requested more time to implement structural changes due to NIS’s strategic role in the national energy grid. U.S. authorities granted multiple extensions, but the final deadline now looms in mid-January.
Vucic said the government is preparing for “all scenarios” ahead of his Brussels visit and confirmed the issue would be raised with EU leaders.
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