Serbia will not give up on European integration despite the fatigue from enlargement in the EU, Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has stated tonight, saying that Serbia expects certain chapters that have been prepared to be opened during the Romanian presidency over the EU by the end of June.
At a reception organised by Romania's Ambassador to Serbia, Oana Cristina Popa, on the occasion of the Romanian presidency, which began on 1 January, Joksimović said that Romania was another friend of enlargement to the Balkans and a familiar, close and friendly country to Serbia.
The Minister sent a message to Serbia, as a candidate country, to Romania, as the EU presidency, as well as to the European Union, using three Serbian proverbs.
“For the EU, I believe, given the numerous challenges, the best proverb would be the following - What does not kill you makes you stronger. For Romania, having in mind all the challenges it faces as the presiding state - When the going gets tough, the tough get going. And for Serbia and our citizens, given the many other international circumstances that have become complicated, the proverb most appropriate would be - All things come to those who wait, said Joksimović.
Noting that the challenges awaiting the EU are part of a process of transformation both of the EU and the direction of international policies, Joksimović stated that Serbia would not give up.
“Despite the fatigue from enlargement that is present in both the Member States and candidate countries, as far as we are concerned, if the EU starts giving up on the enlargement policy, I am certain that Serbia shall not”, indicated Joksimović.
She added that the Government was ready to continue the serious, long-lasting and most significant reform process that was substantively linked to the European integration process, in the interest of citizens.
She said that during Romania’s six-month presidency, just as during the presidency of Bulgaria and Austria, Serbia expected that the issue of enlargement, in particular regarding the Western Balkans and Serbia, would remain one of the priorities on the agenda of the presidency.
“We also express gratitude to Romania for understanding that the enlargement process has an additional dimension of value for all of us in the Balkans, which is not only a reform but also a stabilising process in the wider aspect of the Western Balkan region”, said Joksimović.
She stressed that during the Romanian presidency, Serbia expected certain chapters it had prepared to be opened, if not at two, then at least at one intergovernmental conference.
“We are aware that this will not only depend on the reasons I mentioned but that the progress in chapters 23 and 24 regarding the rule of law will also be monitored”, stated Joksimović, adding that Serbia would remain committed to the integration process, in particular to reforms concerning the rule of law, since Member States pay special attention to these reforms that are vital for a society.
She added that Serbia would continue working on the aforementioned not only because of the EU, but due to the fact that the Government had promised its citizens a more efficient state, with a higher level of justice, noting that she was certain that crucial reforms would be completed and important laws passed over the course of 2019.
Joksimović expressed her appreciation to the EU and its Member States for being Serbia's largest and most significant strategic partner in the reforms, namely by providing concrete assistance through IPA funds, and also thanked them for being the largest donor, investor and trading partner of Serbia.
The Minister highlighted that surveys carried out in the previous six months showed that 55 percent of Serbia's citizens supported European integration, stressing that she was satisfied with the figures.
“They will be affected by some regional challenges we are facing, but I am certain that most of our citizens will understand why the EU is still the best choice for Serbia”, emphasised Joksimović, adding that she was certain that Serbia was a good candidate and an important country in the region that could contribute to the European Union.
“I promise to myself and the citizens that I will be optimistic as much as possible. We need to be patient and I hope that the EU will become even more certain that Serbia and this region deserve their European future”, concluded Joksimović.
Source: Tanjug
