J. Joksimović: Our path towards the EU is beyond question

October 23 2019 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović: Our path towards the EU is beyond question

The announced, still undefined reform of the accession process, which has been mentioned by several EU Member States, most notably France, is the topic of considerable importance for both Europe and the candidate countries, as well as for those seeking to become candidates, Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has said.

Responding to reporters' questions about the reforms within the EU, she has said that Serbia had opened nearly half of its negotiating chapters, that the provisional closing of some chapters is being intensively worked on, and that Serbia is deeply involved in this process.
"Whatever the reform may be, it will not essentially reflect on what the European path of Serbia is. Even now, its progression is not too fast. The only question is whether it can be even slower or it shall continue with the same momentum, until these dilemmas within the EU itself are resolved," Joksimović has said at the booth of the Ministry of European Integration at the International Belgrade Book Fair.

She has stressed that the citizens also have the right to be disappointed, that some things are sometimes awaited too long, that there are, of course, many political reasons behind it all, but that in general our path towards the EU is beyond question.
"I think this is important. When you a process, whatever it concerns in life and particularly as regards the responsible government in this strategic vision, you cannot change the politics from day to day. I do hope that Europe and the EU will not change their politics from day to day," Joksimović has stressed.

She has recalled what French President Emmanuel Macron had said during his visit to Serbia in July, which everyone clearly remembers.
"Visiting Serbia for the first time, President Macron has said that the EU reform process and internal changes can go hand in hand with the enlargement process. I think it is important to recall what was said," Jokimović has said.

She has stressed that Serbia is a country that is "in deep accession", and stated that the media often talk about the association process.

She has added that Serbia is not in the process of association, but in the process of accession.
"That is why North Macedonia and Albania are now disappointed, since they have not been given a date of commencement of negotiations, because when you open formal negotiations and start opening the chapters, you are an acceding country. Therefore, Serbia has opened almost half of the negotiating chapters, and we are working intensively on the provisional closure of certain chapters," Joksimović has said.

Source: Tanjug