J. Joksimović and Cerar: Slovenia supports the enlargement policy and European integration of Serbia

December 17 2019 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović and Cerar: Slovenia supports the enlargement policy and European integration of Serbia

Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has talked in Novi Sad with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Miro Cerar, about the continuation of Serbia's European integration process and the cooperation of the two countries in the said process, bilateral relations, situation in the region and other topics.

The Minister has stressed that Serbia will continue the accession process with equal commitment, as well as the implementation of reforms, which are the best model for the overall development of the state and society. She has assessed that, given the quality of the reforms in the rule of law and economy, Serbia is not satisfied with the opening of a single chapter, but has added that this is an indicator that the EU has noticed the results Serbia has achieved in the European integration process.

Jadranka Joksimović has thanked Slovenia for the assistance and support it has been providing to Serbia on its path towards full EU membership. Particularly important in this regard is the significant multi-annual development assistance - provided by Slovenian experts, especially in areas such as environmental protection, water management and cohesion policy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affaris of Slovenia, Miro Cerar, has said that Slovenia supports the EU enlargement policy and will continue to encourage Serbia's European integration process. He has assessed that the impact of the reforms, which should be intensified, is visible and that it is significant that those concerning the rule of law and economy have been identified as particularly important. Cerar has also explained that the region is one of the priorities of Slovenian foreign policy - this is confirmed by the fact that the Western Balkans is Slovenia's priority in providing development and technical assistance. He has stressed the importance and commitment of Serbia to establish the best possible relations within the region.

In Novi Sad, Jadranka Joksimović has also met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Slovenia and Minister of Infrastructure for Development, Strategic Projects and Cohesion, Alenka Bratušek.

Joksimović has stressed the importance of the cohesion policy, as a major EU policy, in achieving the goals of the EUROPE 2020 growth strategy and the mechanism for implementing structural reforms in Member States - through job creation, improving the quality of life, and enhancing overall economic development.

Since the Ministry of European Integration is responsible for the negotiations in Chapter 22 - Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments, intensified expert cooperation in the field of cohesion policy and regional development has been agreed. The interlocutors have also noted that the continuation and strengthening of coordination within the European macro-regional strategies - primarily the Danube Strategy, as well as regional strategies - Central European and Adriatic-Ionian Strategy, is of mutual interest.

Minister Bratušek has expressed Slovenia's readiness to assist Serbia on its European path.

Jadranka Joksimović and her interlocutors have assessed that the bilateral relations between the two countries are at a very high level and that there is a mutual commitment to their further intensifying.

Source: Tanjug