Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European integration Bozidar Djelic yesterday reiterated that the government’s strategic goal is for Serbia to be granted EU candidate status this year and to set the date for the beginning of talks on EU membership.
Following a meeting with a group of German parliament’s CDU/CSU MPs, Djelic stressed that Serbia expects the EU to be strict on this path, but not unjust.
Serbia does not want privileges on this path and it is ready to meet its obligations in cooperation with the Hague tribunal, to take a constructive role in the dialogue with Pristina and to implement the action plan in order to become a candidate country, Djelic noted.
He voiced his expectation that the EU will not pose new conditions to Serbia, as well as hope that the German parliament will give green light to Serbia’s candidacy in November.
Head of a German parliament’s CDU/CSU delegation Peter Beyer noted that Serbia’s speedy EU entry is in Germany’s interest.
Beyer commended Belgrade’s pragmatic approach to dialogue with Pristina, voicing his expectation that at the upcoming round of talks, which will most likely be held on 2 July, considerable progress will be achieved.
‘Tangible progress’ in talks between Belgrade and Pristina is in the interest of both sides, he underlined, praising Serbia on the arrest and extradition of Hague indictee Ratko Mladic to the tribunal.
Djelic and Bundestag MPs also discussed bilateral relations and economic cooperation between Serbia and Germany, the Danube strategy and the protection of visa liberalisation for asylum abuse.
Source: Serbian Government/Balkans.com
