Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has spoken with Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia David McAllister about the relations between Serbia and the EU, Serbia’s plans regarding European integration, the situation in the EU, circumstances in the region and other important topics.
Jadranka Joksimović has thanked McAllister for the cooperation and support he and the European Parliament have been providing to Serbia in the accession process. She has confirmed that Serbia is fully committed to European integration and the implementation of reforms aimed at a better life of citizens and modernisation of the state, through the application of European standards and values.
The Minister has emphasised that the reforms in chapters 23 and 24, related to judiciary, fight against crime and corruption, minority rights and media freedom, are extremely important for the state and the citizens. In that context, she has recalled that the Government has accepted and acknowledged all recommendations of the Venice Commission regarding Constitutional amendments in the field of judiciary, and has conducted a transparent and inclusive public debate process. Furthermore, she has noted that the Government has adopted the Law on Free Legal Aid and the Law on Personal Data Protection, adding that the Law on Prevention of Corruption is in the final stage of preparation.
Joksimović has informed McAllister that Serbia is technically prepared to open several chapters - 9 (Financial services), 4 (Free movement of capital), 2 (Freedom of movement for workers), 14 (Transport) and 21 (Trans-European networks), and that it is intensively working on preparing others. She has stated that Serbia, therefore, expects to open some of them during Romania’s EU Council presidency, which would confirm the credibility of the enlargement policy.
Jadranka Joksimović has stressed that Serbia is clearly committed to finding a viable solutions for Kosovo and Metohija through dialogue. She has added that the dialogue, nonetheless, will not continue until the decision on the introduction of taxes on goods from Serbia has been repealed. She has further noted that Serbia is also committed to regional stability, which is a precondition for progress, cooperation and development.
European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia and AFET Chair David McAllister believes that Serbia is committed to European integration and that it is an important factor of regional stability. He has committed to creating an atmosphere that would enable the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, which is the only way to try to find a sustainable solution that cannot be reached until the decision on the introduction of taxes on goods from central Serbia has been repealed. McAllister has assessed that the reforms in Serbia are showing initial results and that they should be intensified, particularly in chapters 23 and 24. Furthermore, he has stated that Serbia has affirmed itself as an important and active partner of the EU.
Joksimović and McAllister have agreed on the importance of a responsible and encouraging rhetoric from the EU regarding the continuation of the EU enlargement policy and a clear perspective of Serbia in that process.
Source: Tanjug
