Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has talked today with Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides about Serbia’s EU accession process, bilateral relations, and the situation in the region.
According to the MEI press release, Joksimović has thanked the Cypriot Minister for the sincere support Cyprus has been providing to Serbia in its membership negotiations and for advocating a principled solution to the Belgrade–Pristina relations, in accordance with the principles of international law.
“I expect that Cyprus will continue to support the EU enlargement policy in a way that will make this policy become more credible, predictable and dynamic, as announced under the new methodology”, said Joksimović.
She has particularly stressed her belief that stronger political steering of membership negotiations will contribute to the transparency of the entire process
.According to her, the first such high-political format should be the Intergovernmental Conference during the Portuguese EU presidency, where both the EU member states and Serbia would have an opportunity to present their expectations in terms of reform processes in Serbia, as well as the EU’s support in their successful implementation.
Joksimović has expressed her expectation that Cyprus will continue to acknowledge Serbia’s efforts in implementing all necessary reforms, particularly in the area of political criteria, the rule of law, sustainable economic development and Green Agenda.
She has informed the Cypriot Minister that Serbia is also working on aligning with EU standards and legislation within clusters 3 and 4 – competitiveness and inclusive growth, and Green Deal, digitalisation and infrastructural connectivity, respectively.
“We believe that these reform activities will lead to achieving progress that will be sufficient for the member states to support the opening of clusters, which in turn will accelerate the pace of negotiations, in accordance with mutual expectations”, emphasised Joksimović.
Christodoulides has stressed the importance of good bilateral relations between the two countries, which are also reflected in Cyprus’ support to Serbia’s EU accession.
“The Cyprot Government advocates the EU enlargement policy, supporting the Western Balkans and Serbia in meeting all necessary benchmarks, primarily in the rule of law, fight against corruption, organised crime, as well as in the area of economic criteria”, stated the Cyprot Minister.
Joksimović and Christodoulides have agreed that Serbia’s efficient actions in tackling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as successful immunisation and providing assistance to the economic sector and neighbours in the region, are the best proof that Serbia bases its policy on the European values of solidarity, equality and respect for human dignity, which is particularly important in a time of global crisis.
Source: Tanjug
