Concerns over the situation in Serbia, Kosovo: EU to freeze 1.5 billion euros in funds

The EU will freeze money intended for Serbia because the country is taking steps back in pro-European reforms.

This will be officially announced by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos at today's meeting of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET).

Thus, Serbia is left without 1.5 billion euros from the so-called "Growth Plan" due to controversial judicial reforms, reports Telegraph.

However, the final decision will be made after the Venice Commission issues its opinion on the so-called "Mrdić Laws".

Kos has already assessed that with the adoption and implementation of these laws, Serbia is taking steps back on the EU path and has requested that their implementation be legally suspended.

Furthermore, the Serbian media outlet emphasizes, the six Western Balkan countries face the possibility of being deprived of more than 700 million euros.

As you learn N1, the entire Balkans loses the opportunity to receive that money if it fails to fulfill its reform tasks by June 30.

These are reforms that were supposed to be implemented by the end of June last year, but this deadline has been postponed in the meantime, the Serbian media outlet adds.

"Kos will warn about this possibility at today's AFET meeting, so that countries understand that time is running out."

The Geopost