Serbia is a part of Europe, has a common history and heritage with the people of the European Union and a future defined by the same challenges and opportunities, said Christian Danielsson, the European Commission’s Director General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, when addressing participants at the Kopaonik Business Forum 2019. Danielsson estimated that the country has stable prospects in terms of European integration, but that it also depends on its own results.

In the first place, while presenting data on trade exchange, the Swedish diplomat emphasized the economic cooperation between Serbia and EU countries. These figures are now three times higher than 11 years ago, despite the recession period, so the EU is now the main trade partner to Serbia and represents 63 percent of total trade. Trends have been positive in recent years and thousands of new jobs have been created, Danielsson evaluated.

“We want to further deepen trade in this region. At several Western Balkans Summits, the countries of the region have expressed their desire to establish a common economic zone, with free flow of services and virtually no barriers to trade. It is a very important part of your preparations for joining the single market of the European Union,” Danielsson.stated

With over 70 percent, the countries of the Union bring the most foreign investments to Serbia, Danielsson noted. One of the priorities is forging even better connections, and the senior official from Brussels announced that following the signing of the agreement by six countries of the region to reduce roaming charges between each other, work will commence on reducing the cost of roaming towards countries of the Union.

Since 2000, in the field of energy, the EU has approved funds to Serbia worth over 700 million Euros to modernize power plants and electricity networks.

“Equally, if not more important, is the close partnership between the EU and Serbia through the Energy Community, an international organization that sets European rules and standards for both this and other regions. Energy has no boundaries and climate has no boundaries. That is why it is clear that the energy transition can only be carried out together,” stated Danielsson.

He added that these are just some examples, but that the benefits of integration are seen daily, and that through the European budget, Serbia has received non-returnable funds of more than 3 billion Euros. He said he sees room for speeding up reforms in the rule of law, as well as for better regional cooperation.

Yesterday, Danielsson also met with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic where he said that Serbia has made great progress on the road to the European Union. He also praised the contribution that Serbia provides toward regional stability through its initiatives for regional cooperation, particularly through various infrastructure projects, announced the Government of Serbia.