“Serbia sees the concept of local and regional development as an essential part of the European integration process”, said Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović in Salzburg, on the second day of the forum The Next Generation of EU Member States.
Joksimović told Tanjug that at the forum, the ministers from the region had, for the first time after a long period, held high-level discussions not only about the region as the region of Western Balkans or Southeast Europe, but also about the regional and local development of everyone in the region.
"I primarily spoke about the concept of local and regional development, which we see as an essential part of the European integration process, not wanting to debate solely on high political topics that are sometimes difficult to reach an agreement on," Joksimović said.
She pointed out that the essence of European integration should be discussed, and that was, according to her, better economy, more work, better perspective for youth and local and regional development, investment in the regions, opening new job opportunities and, above all, local economic development.
"Without it, the sole process of European integration would not be clear enough for most of our citizens."
(source: Tanjug)
