Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has stated today that the visit of European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn has come at the right moment to discuss the direction of the EU enlargement policy, in the light of the forthcoming European elections.
Joksimović has highlighted that Hahn's visit will also be an opportunity for Serbia to send a message to its European partners that, just as Serbia has been invited to accelerate the reform process, it also expects the process to be followed, if not by acceleration, then at least by the preservation of the pace of opening the chapters that Serbia has prepared.
The Minister has stressed that reforms implemented by Serbia are in the interest of citizens, but that they are also linked to progress in the negotiation process.
European Commissioner Johannes Hahn is arriving for a two-day visit to Serbia today.
In her statement to Tanjug, Joksimović has noted that this may be the last visit of the Commissioner before the European elections and that this is precisely why it is significant, since April and May will be dedicated to the election process in the EU, and therefore nobody in the Union will be dealing with Serbia or the topic of enlargement too much in that period.
“It is therefore vital that today and tomorrow we have a fundamental exchange of opinions, primarily about where the policy of enlargement is going in relation to the expectations concerning the European elections and how we should position ourselves in that respect”, stated the Minister.
She has underlined that Serbia believes that the enlargement policy will continue to be active and alive, but that it is crucial to perceive how a new EU path will be paved and how Serbia should adjust its plans to meet expectations arising from the new circumstances in the Union and in Member States after the elections.
Joksimović has also pointed out that there are a number of open regional issues, which are in a certain way related to Serbia’s European path, and that a fundamental exchange of opinions on these topics is necessary.
She has indicated that Serbia will present everything it has achieved, including the implementation of the Brussels Agreement, and has recalled that the joint Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee called Pristina yesterday to immediately abolish unilaterally imposed taxes and continue the dialogue.
“Our position is clear here. Nobody can hold anything against us”, emphasised Joksimović, adding that results must come if the whole EU has taken the position that Pristina's taxes are not only unnecessary, but also in disagreement with all the agreed criteria.
“In that sense, we expect to hear the opinion and views of both the Commissioner himself and the EU in general, and comprehend in which direction this process will unfold”, added Joksimović.
The Minister has said that important topics of the discussions will include Serbia’s expectations regarding the opening of new chapters by the end of June and the Romanian EU Presidency.
She has indicated that Serbia has prepared five negotiating positions a long time ago and that it is actively working on others, however, she has clarified that, due to the European elections, the publication of the country progress report will be shifted compared to the regular procedure, so it can be expected in late May or early June.
She has suggested that this will leave little space and time for Member States to analyse the progress, primarily in chapters 23 and 24, and accordingly adopt their decision on the opening of new chapters.
Joksimović has emphasised that Serbia wants to be prepared for such a scenario and to already outline that this cannot be a reason and explanation for a slowdown if Serbia achieves results – which it has. She has added that the progress report, expected late May or early June, will define and recognise everything that Serbia has achieved in reform areas.
She has added that reforms implemented by Serbia are in the interest of citizens, but that they are also linked to progress in the negotiation process.
“Therefore, just as we have been invited to accelerate reforms, we also expect that this acceleration be followed, if not by acceleration due to the European elections, then at least by the preservation of the pace of opening the chapters that we have prepared”, underlined Joksimović.
She has said that these are very important messages provided at the right moment for Serbia to prepare for a brief pause in the EU's interest in the enlargement policy.
“So that we wouldn’t waste time or lose pace, but strive to regularly report on our activities and lobby for our positions”, said Joksimović.
As an important part of the European Commissioner’s visit, the Minister has highlighted the opening of the restored Golubac Fortress, to be attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Mr. Hahn and members of the government, due to the fact that reconstruction was financed from EU pre-accession funds.
She has said that this has been a long-running project that has faced a lot of difficulties, but that has been ultimately completed in synergy between the EU, the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Austrian Development Agency. The Minister has added that, along with many other projects throughout Serbia, it represents the essence of everything she has done as the line minister, along with everyone else, in an effort to use European funds for the benefit of Serbia.
“This is crucial in order to reduce regional inequalities in Serbia and identify the development potentials of a less developed area. It is vital that we invest and give new impetus to tourism, sustainable economic development, new employment and everything that is the goal of European integration”, concluded Joksimović.
Source: Tanjug
