J. Joksimović: It is malicious to say that there is no basis for opening chapters

June 05 2019 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović: It is malicious to say that there is no basis for opening chapters

Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has said that she was not aware what the Croatian media were reporting, however, that she was well aware of the achievements Serbia had made in terms of progress in key areas, which has been confirmed by the EC Progress Report.

This was her answer when asked to provide a comment to Politika daily on reports in the Croatian media that Serbia might not open a single chapter in the negotiations with the EU this month.
“I would like to recall that in the Report it was assessed the limited progress was made in Chapter 23, although we believe that more had been done than the Report said, and we have pointed that out to the European Commission and the Member States, and concerning Chapter 24 the progress was also recognised,” said Joksimović.

Regarding Chapter 35, which is also assessed in relation to the decision to open other chapters, it is clear that Belgrade has not obstructed that implementation and that “Pristina has been undermining the foundations of the Brussels Agreement, also signed by the EU, meaning, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on an everyday basis”.
“Therefore, one should be maliciously creative to say that there was no basis for opening chapters”, underlined Joksimović.

Asked if this was a reflection of the real state in Serbia and its lack of preparedness or a part of the political pressure exerted with the aim of resolving the Kosovo and Metohija issue, she reminded that Pristina had not only failed to implement its obligations regarding the establishment of the CSM in the last six years, but also that Thaçi, who was one of the signatories, had said that the CSM would not be formed at all.
“Well, that is a question for the EU and not to put the pressure on Belgrade”, concluded Joksimović.

Source: Politika