Ursula von der Leyen stated that Serbia must make efforts in the direction of the rule of law, electoral reforms, and press freedom in order to advance in the process of joining the European Union.

Although Serbia has been a candidate for accession since 2012, it has not imposed sanctions on Russia, which complicates its relations with the EU. The Serbian president, who navigates between ties with the EU and Russia, reaffirmed Serbia's strategic commitment to European integration. Von der Leyen emphasized that reforms require patience and the involvement of the entire society, mentioning the recent movements against corruption in Serbia.