Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has emphasised that “the political decision of certain member states, published on 26 June, to not give consent for the opening of new chapters with Serbia – despite it having five chapters prepared for opening – is a message whose direction we have understood, but at the same time, I believe it was not really necessary.” She has added that the story that there has not been sufficient progress in chapters 23 and 24 is not entirely founded in facts, because the Non-paper has noted significant activities in Chapter 23, particularly the adoption of the media strategy which is an extremely important part of the chapter. As regards Chapter 24 addressing security, asylum, fight against organised crime, and migration, it has been positively assessed.
“We have already done a lot, and I expect that, with the new Government, we will accelerate our European path and that we will be more committed to the reform obligations stemming from the European integration process, just as President Vučić announced in Brussels that day,” stated Joksimović.
“The Croatian presidency ended without the opening of new chapters with Serbia, but the real Progress Report, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be published already in autumn, during the German presidency, which will be an opportunity for member states to more comprehensively review the progress in reforms and for us to open new chapters. Certainly, we would like to thank numerous member states that gave support for the opening of several chapters even, but this time, the agreement among all member states was not reached,” added the Minister.
Source: Tanjug
