Andreas Šider, a Member of the European Parliament from Austria, remarked that following a meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and top European Union officials, it is evident that Brussels has taken a critical view of the events unfolding in Serbia.

This statement came after reports indicated that Vučić was made aware of European scrutiny regarding his actions during recent protests.

On the previous day, Vučić attended a working dinner in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel.

Following this engagement, von der Leyen stated that Serbia must implement reforms to advance its EU accession process, particularly emphasizing the need for decisive steps towards media freedom, anti-corruption measures, and electoral reforms.

Šider noted that the outcome of this meeting sends a clear message, indicating that the European Commission and the European Council are adopting a markedly critical approach towards current events in Serbia.

He contrasted this stance with previous meetings, which he characterized as more diplomatic and friendly in tone.

He emphasized that during this dinner, Vučić was presented with messages related to European values and the rule of law, suggesting a significant shift in the EU's approach.

He referred to the gathering as a dinner themed 'democracy,' implying that Vučić had to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation as perceived by EU institutions.

According to Šider, it was communicated to Vučić that Europe had observed his actions during recent protests.

He stated that it was made clear that the current direction under Vučić does not align with the European path, highlighting the need for change.

Discussions reportedly included electoral conditions, which Šider identified as a clear signal of what the EU expects from Serbia moving forward.

This represents a notable change from the previous reticence of EU officials on this matter, with recent statements indicating a more vocal concern regarding democratic standards in Serbia.

Šider also pointed to a letter from a group of Members of the European Parliament, which called on von der Leyen to reassess her decision to meet with Vučić, as influencing the EU's stance.

The letter articulated that a meeting with Vučić at this critical juncture risks strengthening the perception that the EU is overlooking democratic backsliding in Serbia, potentially alienating Serbian citizens from the EU.

He concluded that von der Leyen appears to have recognized the critical nature of the situation, and suggested that the content of the letter contributed to this realization.

Šider humorously noted that the meeting took place in a restaurant, inferring that Vučić may not have had dessert, indicative of the serious nature of the discussions.