SRBIJA Act

This legislation aims to address significant democratic backsliding , corruption, and increasing malign foreign influence in Serbia. It expresses a Sense of Congress noting issues like excessive force against protesters, deepening ties with Russia, China, and Iran, and the need for accountability regarding the Novi Sad disaster, which killed sixteen people. The bill establishes a U.S. policy to support transparent and democratic governance in Serbia and authorizes financial and visa sanctions against malign actors. These sanctions target those who destabilize the Western Balkans, undermine democratic processes, engage in corruption, or commit serious human rights abuses, leveraging existing Executive Orders and the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act. The Act mandates the Secretary of State to submit a report on Russian and Chinese influence in Serbia and a detailed strategy for bilateral engagement. This strategy must assess Serbia's alignment with NATO and the European Union, evaluate steps taken to investigate the Novi Sad disaster, and outline support for independent media and judicial reform. Furthermore, the bill conditions U.S. participation in the U.S.-Serbia Strategic Dialogue on addressing key issues. These include Serbia's relations with Russia, China, and Iran, ensuring free and fair elections, and strengthening democratic governance, freedom of the press, and assembly. Finally, the legislation authorizes additional assistance to Serbia, such as bolstering democratic institutions and expanding security cooperation, but only upon the President's certification. This certification requires Serbia to demonstrate significant and sustained progress toward independent judicial accountability, media freedom, and alignment of its foreign and security policy with the European Union and NATO.