Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has held discussions with Dr Johann Wadephul, MP and Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, on Serbia’s European integration process, activities that are being carried out within this process, the results of the reforms, bilateral relations of the two countries and other topics.
Jadranka Joksimović has expressed her gratitude to Germany, as a significant and strategic partner of Serbia, for the support and assistance it has provided to Serbia in the process of European integration. This is illustrated by the fact that, in the last decade and a half, Germany has allocated more than EUR 1.6 billion in grants for numerous projects aimed at the development and progress of Serbia.
The Minister has stressed that Serbia is implementing reforms for the citizens and in order to create a modern state and that this clearly confirms its pro-European commitment, which should be valorised by the opening of new chapters during Austria’s presidency over the EU Council. She has pointed out that, in addition to the 4 already prepared negotiating positions: 9 - Financial services, 17 - Economic and monetary union, 18 - Statistics and 2 - Freedom of movement for workers, in the following period, the adoption of negotiating positions will be finalised for the following chapters: 4 - Freedom movement of capital, 14 - Transport policy and 21 - Trans-European networks, which will be submitted to the Presidency of the EU Council.
Germany will continue to monitor Serbia's progress in accordance with established criteria, Wadephul has stated. According to him, Berlin encourages and supports Serbia's reforms and European integration process, since they contribute to the country’s, as well region’s development, which is in the interest of the EU. He has emphasised that Serbia is an important factor for the region's stability and that it has proven to be a reliable and constructive partner the EU could seriously count on.
Joksimović has underlined that Serbia's progress will be measured against the achieved standards within chapters, as well as with regard to Chapters 23 and 24. As regards Chapter 35, which measures and monitors the implementation of agreements within the framework of the Brussels Agreement, Joksimović has stressed that Belgrade has shown its capacity and political will to implement what has been agreed upon, while Pristina has shown unwillingness to fulfil its obligations having failed to establish the Community of Serb Municipalities by 4 August.
Joksimović has pointed out that Serbia supports the continuation of political dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina at the highest level and expects the EU to support solutions the two parties may reach within the dialogue.
The interlocutors have concluded that the relations between the two countries are good, as evidenced by numerous German investments into Serbia’s economy.
Source: Tanjug
