Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has introduced the ambassadors of the EU Member States in Brussels with the reforms, political circumstances and the situation in Serbia.
"Serbia's commitment is undeniable. The implemented reforms have been commended. We are expected to advance further and faster. Serbia is counted on, which is why we are encouraged to be faster," Joksimović has said.
During a working breakfast in Brussels, Jadranka Joksimović presented to the ambassadors of the EU Member States what Serbia was doing in the area of chapters 23 and 24 related to the rule of law, media freedom, and the fight against organised crime and corruption.
"I have notified the ambassadors of the EU Member States that we have submitted Constitutional amendments to the Venice Commission, relating to the changes primarily in the field of judiciary reform. We expect the Venice Commission to provide us with an answer by the end of June, on whether they are in line with the best practices and standards existing in the EU. Afterwards, we will continue with a new round of public consultations, because we want a fully inclusive and transparent process," Joksimović has said.
She has recalled the 2009-2010 attempt at the judiciary reform, which was unsuccessfully and non-transparently concluded, and has stressed that Serbia cannot allow for such kind of failure in the area that is primarily crucial for Serbian citizens.
"We are therefore careful, and are working on the quality of this process. This is important to us, and the current process is incomparable to the one conducted some seven or eight years ago. This is a transparent and inclusive process, where everyone is saying what is good, what is not or what needs to be improved," Joksimović has said.
The Minister of European Integration introduced the permanent representatives of EU Member States in Brussels with the fact that a new round of Media Strategy had been launched at the initiative of President Aleksandar Vučić.
"Given that certain associations expressed some dissatisfaction, and in order to give legitimacy to this process, the debate procedure has been re-launched, involving all stakeholders in the process of preparing the Media Strategy, with the active assistance of the OSCE Mission in Serbia," Joksimović has stressed.
She has also stated that the Strategy for the Prosecution of War Crimes has been adopted, and that Serbia has undertaken a whole range of activities including those related to laws on migration, asylum and foreigners.
Minister Joksimović has recalled that Serbia has already been commended by the EU in 2015 for its efforts in addressing the migrant crisis.
"Serbia is expected to do more because it is recognised as perhaps the most serious candidate. In this sense, this was a useful meeting. By the end of June, we expect two new opened chapters, as well as pre-accession packages and assistance for agricultural development," Joksimović has concluded.
Source: Tanjug
