Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has talked with US Ambassador to Serbia Kyle Scott about the activities related to Serbia’s European integration process, the effects and dynamics of the implementation of reforms, the situation in the region, bilateral relations between the two countries and other important topics.
The Minister has informed the Ambassador about the plans regarding the European integration, which is Serbia's foreign policy priority. She has stated that Serbia expects to open some of the chapters that have been prepared at the technical level during the Romanian EU Council presidency.
Ambassador Scott has underlined strong support that the United States provides to Serbia’s European integration process. The interlocutors have agreed that Serbia has made significant progress in the process of European integration, and that it should continue to work on meeting the criteria for full EU membership, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, judicial efficiency, public administration and the fight against corruption.
Striving to find a sustainable solution, Belgrade is committed to the dialogue with Pristina, which, according to Joksimović, will be continued after the unilateral decision to introduce taxes on goods from Serbia has been abolished. She has assessed that Pristina's activities, as well as the activities of some other actors in the region, do not contribute to the stability that Belgrade insists on.
Ambassador Kyle Scott has pointed out that Serbia is a very important partner of the USA and an important factor of security and regional stability. He has stated that Washington advocates continuation of the dialogue, and has mentioned a joint letter in which he and the US Ambassador to Pristina, Philip Kosnett, point to the need to abolish the taxes. Scott has encouraged Serbia to continue with its constant contribution to regional stability.
Minister Joksimović has expressed her gratitude for the support and assistance that the USA, as an important partner, provides to Serbia in the process of European integration, especially through concrete projects for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and local self-government. The Ambassador has stressed that the United States will continue to support and help the process of European integration of Serbia, wishing it to become more advanced and developed. The interlocutors have emphasised the importance of the funds that the USA has thus far allocated for Serbia’s preparation for EU membership, particularly stressing that these are grants and technical assistance aimed at improving standards.
Joksimović and Scott have assessed that the relations between the two countries are good and that there is a sincere, mutual intention to develop them further.
Source: Tanjug
