„I Hear You,“ EU Enlargement Commissioner Tells Protesting Students in Novi Sad

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos expressed solidarity with protesting students during her visit to Novi Sad on Wednesday, declaring, “I hear you.”

Kos, who arrived in Serbia on Tuesday, began the day by paying tribute to the victims of a tragic structural collapse that claimed 16 lives when a concrete shelter fell at a railway station. Standing in silence at the site, she offered condolences and said her thoughts were with the victims and their families.

Later, she met with student representatives who have for months staged protests calling for accountability over the fatal incident, as well as broader demands for rule of law, judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, and a democratic state.

Addressing the group, Kos assured them their voices were not going unheard—either by Brussels or Belgrade.

“What the EU asks from Serbia closely aligns with the demands of the citizens protesting,” Kos said.

“Most importantly, I want you—the younger generation—to benefit from the many opportunities the EU has to offer.”

To the students of Novi Sad: I hear you.

I want to reiterate that what the EU asks from Serbia closely aligns with the demands of the citizens protesting.

Most importantly, I want you, the young generation to benefit from the many opportunities the EU has to offer. pic.twitter.com/Ff6FiQcA6J

— Marta Kos (@MartaKosEU) April 30, 2025

In the meantime, students from the Faculty of Technical Sciences currently under blockade also issued a statement:

„Today we had a constructive meeting with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. End of statement. For further details: You’ll see in the coming period.“

The student protests have garnered significant attention in recent months, especially following the “Tour to Strasbourg,” a 1,400-kilometer bicycle ride that saw 80 Serbian students travel through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany before arriving in Strasbourg on April 15. There, they were welcomed by members of the diaspora and officials from the European Parliament and Council of Europe. Their goal: to bring international awareness to the erosion of democracy and media freedom in Serbia.

„Kos also met with members of 2.0, popularly known as ‘ćacis’, as well as with Serbian officials, opposition leaders, and representatives of civil society. So far, there is no mention on her Twitter account of the meetings with the ćacis or the opposition.“

Kos’s visit to Novi Sad followed high-level meetings in Belgrade, including talks with Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut, National Assembly President Ana Brnabić, and a working dinner with President Aleksandar Vučić.

Following those discussions, Kos emphasized that the European Union sees this moment as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for Serbia to advance toward full EU membership. “Concrete steps on democratic principles and reforms are imperative,” she said. “The time to deliver is now.”

Vučić, for his part, reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to speeding up reforms, expressing confidence that they would ultimately lead to a better life for Serbian citizens.