J. Joksimović and Rausch: Support to Serbia’s European integration process

November 13 2018 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović and Rausch: Support to Serbia’s European integration process

Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has talked with Director of the Austrian Political Academy Bettina Rausch and with a group of experts from that institution and the Alois Mock Institute about bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries in the continuation of Serbia's accession to the EU, the results of reforms, the situation in the region and the Austrian EU Council Presidency.

Jadranka Joksimović has thanked Austria for its assistance and support in Serbia’s European integration process, stressing that this country is an important strategic partner and one of the leading investors in the Serbian economy.

The Minister has pointed out that Serbia is committed to implementing the reforms. She has particularly emphasised chapters 23 and 24 related to judiciary, fight against crime and corruption, minority rights, and media freedom. She has recalled that the Government has accepted and acknowledged all recommendations of the Venice Commission on Constitutional amendments in the field of justice and has conducted a transparent and inclusive public debate process. Joksimović has also stated that the Government has adopted the Law on Free Legal Aid, as well as the Law on Personal Data Protection, and that the Law on Prevention of Corruption is in the final stage of preparation. The results achieved are, in her opinion, extremely important for confirming progress in these areas and for reaching a decision to open new chapters.

Furthermore, Joksimović has stressed that Serbia is fully and technically prepared to open several new chapters and that it expects some of them to be opened. The EU would thus confirm that it has noted Serbia’s commitment to the reforms and the accession process.

The Minister of European Integration has emphasised that Serbia considers security, stability and progress to be crucial both for the region and the EU as a whole. She believes that Belgrade’s advocacy - that peace is a prerequisite for cooperation and development - should be followed by everyone in the region.

With regard to Kosovo and Metohija, Jadranka Joksimović has pointed out that Serbia is committed to establishing a sustainable solution, noting that Pristina, unlike Belgrade, has not fulfilled anything that was agreed in Brussels, especially regarding the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities. In addition, Pristina has taken several unilateral moves that are in absolute contravention of regional economic arrangements, and which certainly do not contribute to the already difficult dialogue. Therefore, Belgrade, as the Minister has stressed, expects the EU to be more actively engaged and thus contribute to the realisation of the other party's commitments. 

Director of the Political Academy Bettina Rausch has emphasised that Austria strongly supports the pro-European commitment of Serbia and its efforts to become a member of the EU. She believes that the reforms will continue to yield results, and that they will continue with greater intensity. For this reason, but also due to the active participation in addressing the challenges that Europe faces, she has noted that Serbia deserves its place in the EU.

Joksimović and Rausch deem that the bilateral relations between the two countries are at a high level, and that there is room for the intensification of overall cooperation.

Source: Tanjug

 

 

 

 

Министар за европске интеграције Ј. Јоксимовић са представницима аустријске Политичке академије

 

Министар за европске интеграције Ј. Јоксимовић са представницима аустријске Политичке академије

 

Министар за европске интеграције Ј. Јоксимовић са представницима аустријске Политичке академије

 

Министар за европске интеграције Ј. Јоксимовић са представницима аустријске Политичке академије

 

Министар за европске интеграције Ј. Јоксимовић са представницима аустријске Политичке академије

 

Министар за европске интеграције Ј. Јоксимовић са представницима аустријске Политичке академије

 

Министар за европске интеграције Ј. Јоксимовић са представницима аустријске Политичке академије