J. Joksimović: In five to seven years a new stage of development will begin

November 14 2018 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović: In five to seven years a new stage of development will begin


Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović is convinced that Serbia’s European path will result in EU membership in the next five to seven years, after which a new stage in the country’s development will begin, which is the objective of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

At the Sixth National Conference on Cross-Border Cooperation, where the best projects in the field of cultural heritage preservation were awarded, Joksimović said that this was a realistic deadline for Serbia to implement reforms and for the EU to become prepared for new members.

“The story of European integration is one of peace, stability, good neighbourly relations, use of funds, joint development, sustainable regional development, reduction of inequality - both social and economic, because without that every rhetoric loses meaning”, stated the Minister.

Joksimović added that cohesion funds for development would be available to Serbia after EU accession and that Serbia would use the time until it joins the EU to learn more about the pitfalls and problems faced by new members previously.

“We do not want the same to happen to us as it did to them - to not absorb a major part of these funds through the cohesion policy, which is one of the best and most demanding EU policies”, concluded the Minister.

Source: Tanjug