J. Joksimović: An important incentive for the citizens of the region not to remain at the rear of the EU

November 06 2018 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović: An important incentive for the citizens of the region not to remain at the rear of the EU

The social and development dimension of EU integration is one of the most important motives due to which Serbia, as a society and a state, has entered the EU process, Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has said tonight, and has specified that Chapter 2, which deals with the freedom of movement for workers, is technically ready to be opened.
"As a Government, we have to understand that the degree of social rights and services is not measured merely by the extent of the social services provided or their improvement, but also by the way an individual measures his own social power, how he or she feels assisted, stimulated and protected when he or she needs it, and when, for some reason, he or she is not able to progress," Joksimović has said at the ministerial conference ‘Initiative for the Social Dimension of EU Integration’.

According to her, it would be good for all social actors to work on finding sustainable models of cooperation in order to achieve one of the goals of EU integration, which is a higher standard, a better quality of life, an increase in social protection and everything that makes life more dignified. Although complete eradication of poverty is hard to achieve, that does not mean that we should not all work towards this goal, Joksimović has said.
"Although it sounds like a utopia, we have to work on that," she has said and added that the corpus of social rights dictates that social policy must be available when an individual finds himself in a difficult situation, when he is at the rear, to help him overcome the gap, support and protect him, so that he may continue to develop. She has said that, with the eradication of poverty, the employment of vulnerable categories of citizens is an important task of the state.

Joksimović has assessed that it is good that the catchphrase of Agenda 2030 - leaving no one behind, also relates to the Balkan countries in the process of European integration.
"Someone is currently a forerunner, someone is at the rear, but this type of support and encouragement, that ensures the region does not remain at the rear of the EU, is a very important message," she has said, adding that it is therefore important for the citizens to see why the EU is such a good idea.
"We would like to remind the citizens of this, that this idea has brought peace, improved the life of an individual... I believe that it will also contribute to the stabilization of European situation and to make everyone more positive in the enlargement process," she has said, adding that whatever contributes to reducing inequalities, from regional ones to eliminating discrimination, represents the cornerstone and core of European values.

According to her, integration and social dimension require a dialogue between the broadest society and the state.
"Within the negotiations, we are negotiating the most on these topics through Chapter 19, which deals with social policy and employment," she has said, expressing her belief that, through intensive work, this chapter will be prepared soon.

Joksimović has added that Chapter 2, concerning the freedom of movement for workers, is fully prepared and that it may be opened until the end of the Austrian Presidency.
"The reform process is in full swing, while the real reforms shall commence only when the chapters are opened and you know exactly what steps are to be taken," Joksimović has said, adding that there is no sustainable development in societies where a socially unsustainable component is present.

Having recalled that she is a National Coordinator of IPA funds and bilateral development assistance, Joksimović has said that it is important to know what has been done thanks to the money from these funds, as well as what are the prospects when Serbia, upon becoming a Member State, gains access to other, far greater cohesion and structural funds.

The cumulative use of these funds contributes to the development, social progress and progress of the entire society and the state, she has said, adding that Serbia, through the plan of the next financial perspective of the IPA III funds, will promote projects for reducing regional differences because, as she has said, cohesion policy is one of the most important EU policies.

Source: Tanjug

 

 

 

 

Јадранка Јоксимовић на конференцији „Иницијатива за социјалну димензију ЕУ интеграција“

 

Јадранка Јоксимовић на конференцији „Иницијатива за социјалну димензију ЕУ интеграција“

 

Јадранка Јоксимовић на конференцији „Иницијатива за социјалну димензију ЕУ интеграција“

 

Јадранка Јоксимовић на конференцији „Иницијатива за социјалну димензију ЕУ интеграција“

 

Јадранка Јоксимовић на конференцији „Иницијатива за социјалну димензију ЕУ интеграција“

 

Јадранка Јоксимовић на конференцији „Иницијатива за социјалну димензију ЕУ интеграција“

 

 

Јадранка Јоксимовић на конференцији „Иницијатива за социјалну димензију ЕУ интеграција“