Enlargement policy should neither be slowed down nor halted by challenges and dilemmas that Europe is facing, such as Brexit, migration and the upcoming European Parliament elections, Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has said today in Budapest, thanking Hungary for consistently and persistently promoting this policy.
The Minister, who has attended the annual diplomat conference in Hungary - which has been attended by 145 ambassadors of that country, has said that Serbia expects that the enlargement policy, despite being unpopular, must be based on a platform of shared responsibility of both the EU and the candidate countries, even after the holding of European elections.
"Otherwise, the following question is raised - if the reform process is the most important, yet it will not lead us to membership, why are we then pursuing the process of European integration? We can implement the reforms even without the process of European integration, but the ultimate goal for us is the full membership," Joksimović has stressed.
Therefore, according to her, a new "platform of responsibility" of the EU should be adopted - that countries should progress at the pace of their implementation of reforms and approach that goal, as well as the responsibility of candidate countries - to accelerate reforms and continue with their work – the way that Serbia works on the stability and peaceful resolution of all open issues not only with its neighbours, but also at the level of Europe.
"We are optimistic - we are a confident country and a nation that knows that much has been done regarding the reform process, reconciliation and other matters that have been challenging on this path," Joksimović has said.
She has stressed that it would be devastating for the EU to be unable to receive new Member States in the next seven years, i.e. by 2025.
"I also said it yesterday: we do not expect to become a Member State now - we are talking about 2025 here, a full seven years from now. We believe that the EU will grow stronger after the EP elections, and that the opportunity and option for membership will still be opened in 2025, if we all do our part," Joksimović has said.
Regarding the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, the Minister has said that the stalemate in the dialogue has been caused by the irresponsible actions of Pristina, which did not fulfil anything it committed to, but has instead introduced taxes on goods from Central Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus preventing further negotiations.
"We are receiving messages that do not lead to a peaceful, good and constructive dialogue no matter how difficult it is for both sides. This is a very difficult and politically unpopular issue for us, but Serbia and Belgrade have shown great responsibility in this process," Joksimović has said .
She has added that Hungary, regardless of its recognition of Kosovo's independence, shows a flexible approach and understanding for Serbia's position.
Joksimović has said that, due to such circumstances, there is currently no continuation of the dialogue and solution in sight, although Belgrade is honouring everything that has been signed.
"For us, these are not pieces of paper or scribbles, but something we put our signature on; yet this does not hold for the other side, since they are mocking an agreement that has been mediated and supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joksimović has said.
She has said that some of the messages that Serbia has received from Europe in recent days are not very good or encouraging, but that Serbia remains committed primarily due to the interests of its citizens and peace and stability.
She had added that Serbia has been trying to solve problems through dialogue and creative diplomacy, but that it seems that not everyone is capable of this type of approach.
Joksimović has thanked Hungary for being an indisputable frontrunner in promoting the enlargement policy, and has added that there are not many voices within Europe to be heard nowadays in terms of positive orientation towards not only Serbia’s European integration, but also enlargement in general.
"That is why such a gesture and loud position of Hungary means a lot to us, and we are counting on this support in the future. We have always had Hungary’s support to open all chapters for which we are ready. My colleague Szijjártó is a little too optimistic saying that all chapters should be opened, but we hope to open at least some of the five chapters we have prepared by the end of June and to continue a good pace of our European path," Joksimović has stressed.
She has said that Hungary is an important neighbour of Serbia, with its large community in Serbia that are responsible and loyal citizens of Serbia, the same way that Serbs in Hungary are good and responsible citizens of Hungary.
"We also do not see any issue regarding additional assistance and financing for numerous projects in Vojvodina, as we consider this to be a common agenda for the development of Serbia, ultimately this tax is paid in Serbia. There is no reason not to support such projects, and we are very open to any kind of cooperation, just as we cooperated during the migrations of 2015," Joksimović has said.
She has assessed that the relations between Serbia and Hungary were never as good as they are today, and has expressed her hope that they will be even better in the future.
According to her, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó has made an extraordinary gesture to Serbia, given the fact that she was one of the speakers at the annual diplomat conference of all Hungarian ambassadors.
"This is a remarkable gesture and we are grateful for it, since we were able to present our position and our thoughts on European integration, bilateral relations in the future, the European Union, and the migrant crisis to all Hungarian ambassadors," Joksimović has said.
She has said that Hungarian ambassadors around the world now have a better notion of Serbia’s expectations from the new composition, European institutions and the retention of the enlargement policy, which, according to Minister Joksimović, is one of the most important EU policies through which this European community can strengthen itself, rather than observe it as a source of instability and additional problems.
Source: Tanjug
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