J. Joksimović: We expected more, two chapters have become the usual dynamic

December 08 2017 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović: We expected more, two chapters have become the usual dynamic

 

Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has stated today that Serbia was expecting and was ready to open three chapters in the EU membership negotiations, and she deemed that it would be fair.

As she added, two chapters have already become the usual dynamic when it comes to opening chapters in the negotiations between the EU and Serbia.

The Minister pointed out that Serbia based its expectations primarily on the positive messages coming from the EU - from the President of the EC Jean-Claude Juncker, who, she said, clearly designated Serbia and Montenegro as the process leaders and advocated quicker opening of chapters, as well as from Federica Mogherini who expressed the view that Serbia had made extremely good progress in the field of reform and integration.

“We expected three chapters, it was a realistic assessment, and that would have been fair, but well... We are continuing our negotiating process and certainly the opening of these two chapters significantly contributes to the further reform process,” said Joksimović.

Joksimović especially thanked Estonia, which is holding the EU presidency until the end of the year and which, she said, held fair presidency, although it did not have the topic of enlargement on its agenda, and until the last moment it left the possibility for member states to support the opening of the third chapter.

“For our part, we are very grateful to Estonia for its fair approach during the presidency, which was also an opportunity to consolidate and develop bilateral relations,” stated the minister.

She thanked all the member states that supported the opening of the three chapters, in particular highlighting the Netherlands - otherwise very demanding in terms of chapters 23 and 24, which, at the last moment, took the fairest position - strictly but fairly, which means that, if criteria are met, chapters will be opened.

Joksimović said that Serbia is continuing its European path with solid dynamic and she expected that we would get a stronger momentum next year, when Bulgaria shall be presiding for the first half of the year and Austria for the second half.

The two countries, she added, have just put the EU enlargement on the agenda of their presidency. She also pointed out that we were aware that reforms are the key to success and that the reforms that are being implemented in the country should lead to the opening and subsequently to the closing of chapters.

“The European path remains part of the domestic development policy and a method and mechanism of faster achievement of our promises to citizens,” Joksimović said at the opening of the photo exhibition “Applied Nostalgia” at the Gallery of the National Bank of Serbia.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Sem Fabrizi, said that, at the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels on 11 December, comments shall be provided on the chapters, progress and negotiations, and that the opening of two chapters would send a message on progress in the negotiations.

“These expectations of the leadership are always justifiably high, but one should always look at the good side of things, and the opening of two new chapters is a good side,” Fabrizi said.

Fabrizi stated that he wanted to convince the Government of Serbia that there was a strong will on the European side that the negotiations not only continue but also move forward.

“Opening of chapters maintains this negotiation dynamic, and on Monday we will open two chapters, however one should always keep in mind the ultimate goal, which is the EU accession,” Fabrizi said.

Source: Tanjug

J. Joksimovic and Fabrici opened the exhibition “Applied Nostalgia”

J. Joksimovic and Fabrici opened the exhibition “Applied Nostalgia”

 

J. Joksimovic and Fabrici opened the exhibition “Applied Nostalgia”

J. Joksimovic and Fabrici opened the exhibition “Applied Nostalgia”

 

J. Joksimovic and Fabrici opened the exhibition “Applied Nostalgia”

J. Joksimovic and Fabrici opened the exhibition “Applied Nostalgia”