Serbia has failed to align with the European Union (EU) Council decision on prolonging the restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

He said that the EU Council adopted on 13 March 2023 Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/5721 prolonging until 15 September 2023 the restrictive measures concerning 171 individuals and 65 entities.

The EU candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, aligned themselves with this Council Decision.

“They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision. The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it,” said Borrell.

Although an EU candidate country, Serbia has not aligned with any of the EU Council decisions on sanctions imposed on Russia over its aggression against Ukraine.

In recent months European officials have repeatedly called on Serbia to join EU sanctions against Russia.