As @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu arrives in Belgrade tomorrow, every word, handshake, and photo with those in power will be watched closely by students and 🇷🇸 citizens who, for 11 months, have faced violence while fighting for fundamental rights and democracy. It's time for🇪🇺 to choose a side!

European Parliament, Oct 2000:
“The visit to Biarritz (EU summit) of the newly elected President Kostunica which has formally brought Yugoslavia back into the European family and put an end to the isolation of that country.”

Günter Verheugen, EU Commissioner for Enlargement:
“The EU has always made it clear that the Serbian people have as much right to be in Europe as any of the other people of Europe. …We made it clear that any decision in favour of democratic change would also be a decision to return to Europe.”

Jacques Chirac, President of France:
“The European Union will continue to stand by your side to support the consolidation of the democratic process in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its return to the European family.”

Javier Solana, EU’s High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy:
“President Milosevic robbed his people of their freedom. This is what we must say and we must do everything we can to prevent it from happening again.”

Romano Prodi, President of European Commission:
“Europe stands ready to welcome the new Serbia with open arms.[...] Serbia is Europe. The road to peace and reconciliation is now open, leaving violence and hatred behind.”

The EU leaders openly supported Vojislav Koštunica as the newly elected President and all EU institutions expressed their readiness to reintegrate Serbia among European states as soon as there is a democratic change.

The 🇪🇺 Union offered immediate lifting of sanctions, a package of economic aid that helped the Serbian people to rebuild their economy, and a closer relationship with the EU including at the highest political level.

🇷🇸Today marks 25 years since the October 5 revolution and the fall of the Slobodan Milošević regime in Serbia.

This presents an opportunity to look back at how Europe reacted to the democratic shift in Yugoslavia, amidst the current protests in Serbia, the largest since the revolution.👇

The vast majority of protesters - and of Serbian society - want a European path. Over the past months, they’ve looked to Brussels, not to other capitals in the East. Their message is simple: they want democracy, rule of law, and a future rooted in freedom and Europe. 👇

Support for the EU is not only returning - it’s rising, driven by a renewed desire for democratic values, rule of law, and a future rooted in freedom. 👇

As HRVP Kaja Kallas visits Belgrade today, it’s time to speak plainly about what’s unfolding in Serbia.

Student-led protests have filled the streets for months, defying repression and resisting the government’s efforts to crush dissent.

CRTA addressed the state of the rule of law and human rights in Serbia, raising serious concerns regarding growing repression against students, activists and citizen voices, in front of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights 👇

crta.rs/en/crta-euro...

Serbian student have arrived in Brussels! 🇷🇸 🇪🇺

@rasaned.bsky.social @crta.bsky.social @eucrta.bsky.social

@crta.bsky.social @eucrta.bsky.social

@crta.bsky.social @eucrta.bsky.social

@rasaned.bsky.social @crta.bsky.social

📢 Starting now | Policy Dialogue: The student-led protests in #Serbia – reshaping the political landscape

Speakers:
🔵Vukosava Crnjanski, Director, @crta.bsky.social
🔵Raša Nedeljkov, Program Director, CRTA @rasaned.bsky.social

Moderated by:
🔴Corina Stratulat, Associate Director, EPC

📢 The student-led protests in Serbia – reshaping the political landscape
🗓️ Monday, 12 May 2025

Join us for a Policy Dialogue on Serbia’s democratic future, #EUenlargement strategy and regional stability. @crta.bsky.social @eucrta.bsky.social

Register👇
www.epc.eu/en/events/Th...

📢 EUCRTA Now Fully Operational!

After a thrilling adventure through Belgian paperwork (turns out wrangling Brussels isn’t all that different from the Balkans), we’re excited to announce that EUCRTA is officially up and running! 👇