Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović and H.E. Carlo Lo Cascio, Italian Ambassador to Serbia, have held discussions on Serbia’s European integration and the two countries’ cooperation in the continuation of the accession process, on bilateral relations, situation in the region and the EU and other important topics.
Jadranka Joksimović has expressed her gratitude for the sincere and permanent assistance Italy has been providing in support of Serbia’s European path. She has stressed that the recommendations Italy and other EU Member States have given are important and welcome, in terms of experience, for Serbia, whose foreign policy priority is EU membership. This is best reflected in the fact that 53% of citizens support EU membership, while 68% support reforms that are an inextricable part of European integration.
In this context, the Minister has also underlined the importance these reforms have for the progress and overall development of the country and society. She has particularly singled out reforms in the field of the rule of law and economy, whose effects – both the Minister and Ambassador Lo Cascio agree – are reflected in a growing foreign investors’ interest in Serbian economy. The proof are also Italian economic actors that have been long present in Serbia.
Joksimović has informed Lo Cascio that Serbia, as an EU membership frontrunner, has conditions for fair and democratic elections, and that it understands that expectations from a frontrunner are greater and more comprehensive. She has further conveyed that the Intersectoral Working Group for Cooperation and Fulfilling ODIHR Recommendations has already reached concrete conclusions with regard to further improvement of electoral conditions – not only for the purpose of meeting the EU’s expectations, but primarily due to the responsibility towards further improvement of democratic procedures for Serbian citizens.
Jadranka Joksimović has also informed Lo Cascio that Serbia expects to open new chapters by the end of the year, i.e. by the end of the Finnish EU Council Presidency.
The Minister of European Integration has emphasised that Serbia advocates a sustainable, compromise and lasting solution for Kosovo and Metohija, and that Belgrade is ready to continue the dialogue as soon as Pristina abolishes the unilateral and unlawful decision on the introduction of taxes on goods from Central Serbia. She has recalled the efforts Serbia has been investing in the preservation of regional stability.
Italian Ambassador Carlo Lo Cascio has assessed that the taxes introduced by Pristina pose a serious obstacle to the continuation of the dialogue and that they should be abolished as soon as possible. The Ambassador has said that Italy will continue to support and assist Serbia’s European integration, adding that Serbia has a clear European future. He has conveyed his expectations that the reforms, whose effects are visible and positive, will be intensified, adding that Serbia’s readiness to implement them is proof of its commitment to the European path. Lo Cascio has noted that Serbia has proven to be a constructive partner to the EU.
Joksimović and Lo Cascio have agreed that the two countries have good bilateral relations and that Italy is an important economic and political partner to Serbia.
Source: Tanjug
