In the first half of 2026, Serbia lingered around 60% of alignment rate with the foreign policy declarations and measures of the EU. Despite the nominal progress in 2025, when Serbia has reached 67 percent, the alignment rate again fell. Serbia’s alignment percentage remains the lowest among the EU candidates with the active processes of negotiations, in other words, the only EU candidate countries with lower percentages are Türkiye and Georgia.
During the first half of 2026, the EU adopted the 20th package of sanctions against Russia on April 23, expanding the scope of sanctions by targeting energy revenues, military-industrial complex, trade and financial services. Consequently, the new package increased the number
of foreign policy statements (and accompanying restrictive measures) directed against the Russian Federation in connection with its war in Ukraine and threats to the territory of the EU and partner states.
Nonetheless, as stated in ISAC’s reports on alignment in previous years, percentages remain primarily a descriptive indicator that reflects general trends but cannot be considered a definitive measure of progress or decline. More critical are the specific issues on which candidate and partner countries fail to align.
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