Letter from Solidarnost to the EU Delegation to Serbia and the Committee on the Environment

Today, the Civic Movement Solidarnost sent a letter to the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia and the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, calling for the protection and monitoring of the Special Nature Reserve “Deliblatska Peščara” and urging these institutions to call on the Serbian authorities to reconsider and withdraw the amendments to the Law on Planning and Construction.

Text of the letter:

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are writing to you regarding the amendments to the Law on Planning and Construction adopted by the Serbian Parliament while one of the most important protected areas in Europe was still burning. We believe that this legislative amendment opens the door to the repurposing of forest land affected by fire and is contrary to Serbia’s obligations in the accession process, particularly under Chapter 27.

What happened

During the summer of 2026, the Deliblatska Peščara, the largest continental sand area in Europe, was affected by a large-scale wildfire. According to various estimates, several thousand hectares — probably more than 5,500 hectares — of forest and low vegetation were destroyed; some sources cite significantly larger areas.

Firefighting teams from other European countries also took part in combating the fire, involving around 150 people, helicopters and equipment, within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Serbian citizens are extremely grateful for this assistance. However, the Mechanism was activated only after almost a month of fighting the fire and following significant public pressure. Neither the announced public and independent investigation into the causes of the fire nor an investigation into the reasons for the delayed request for assistance has been conducted.

Deliblatska Peščara has the status of a Special Nature Reserve of the first category and holds a number of international designations:

• an Important Bird Area (IBA) since 1989;

• the “Labudovo Okno” Ramsar site;

• an Important Plant Area (IPA) and Prime Butterfly Area (PBA);

• a candidate for the Emerald Network under the Bern Convention;

• an area proposed for the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme, meaning that it is included on lists of sites proposed for international protection.

The preservation of this natural asset is an obligation of Serbia, but also of the European community to which, by its significance, it belongs.

Controversial amendments to the law

On 31 August 2026, the National Assembly adopted amendments to the Law on Planning and Construction. The organisations Transparency Serbia and RERI warned that amendments to Article 88 leave an exception: forest land where the forest has been damaged or destroyed by fire retains its previous designated use, unless a change of use is necessary for a project determined to be in the public interest or for public infrastructure facilities.

What is most concerning is the manner in which this was done. The amendments were adopted through an expedited procedure, together with 59 agenda items, without a public consultation. The provisions concerning forest land were not included in the Government’s proposal submitted to Parliament on 7 August, but were introduced through an amendment by the Committee on 26 August — while the Peščara was still burning and public attention was focused on fighting the fire.

The competent ministry claims that the fire does not abolish the area’s protected status or protection regimes and that the amendments do not grant the right to build. If that is the case, there is even less justification for introducing such a provision without transparency, through an amendment and without public debate.

A law that allegedly protects burned forest land deserves a public explanation and an open procedure. The absence of such a process raises concerns that the fire may not become an opportunity for restoration, but rather an opportunity for an exception.

What we are asking for

Taking into account Serbia’s obligations in the accession negotiations, particularly Chapter 27, the Aarhus Convention and EU standards on nature protection, as well as the statement by the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, that the European Union is ready to assist in the restoration and reforestation of Deliblatska Peščara following the extensive fires and will provide support and financing for the procurement of seedlings to restore the devastated area, we call on the European Commission, through the mechanisms of the accession negotiations, to request:

– that construction and land-use conversion in Deliblatska Peščara, as well as on burned forest land within protected areas, be clearly and permanently excluded, so that the fire becomes a reason for restoration rather than an opportunity for an exception;

– that citizens be guaranteed full access to information and meaningful participation in all decisions concerning the future of this land, in accordance with the Aarhus Convention;

– that the disputed legislative provisions be repealed or suspended until a genuine public consultation and an independent expert assessment have been conducted;

– that the competent authorities in Serbia provide full information on the content, motives and consequences of these amendments and that their compatibility with EU legislation on nature protection and environmental impact assessment be examined.

Why we are addressing you

A natural disaster must not become an excuse for the quiet conversion of protected land to another use. What has been formed over centuries as an ecosystem must not disappear through a legislative move adopted while the fire was still active.

The European Union helped put out the fire. It will also help restore the forest. We believe it will also help protect this unique ecosystem from construction.

We look forward to your response. We remain available to provide documentation and further clarification.

Yours sincerely,

Civic Movement Solidarnost