“Serbia is making steady progress in the process of European integration, but needs to focus more on resolving outstanding issues in the rule of law and judiciary reform,” said European Parliament President Antonio Tajani following his meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.
At a joint press conference, Tajani said that the reform of judiciary should rely on recommendations made by the European Commission and the European Parliament.
According to Tajani, the International Monetary Fund assesses business environment in Serbia as positive, but further reform is needed to attract more direct foreign investment.
Tajani said that the European Union was ready to support Serbia in that endeavour, adding that he would personally engage in it.
“Stability, prosperity and overall success of the region are our common goals,” Tajani said and added he was hoping that the EU enlargement policy would yield results.
He commended Serbia as an important partner of the EU in tackling the issue of migration.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said that Serbia remained committed to European integration and regional stability.
She thanked Tajani for the initiative to send a delegation of investors from the EU to Serbia.
According to her, Serbia has in the past three years achieved fiscal and macroeconomic stability, but should now focus on judiciary reform and the rule of law.
She noted that over a million people passed through Serbia during the migrant crisis, adding that the number of migrants in the country now stands at 4,000. “We have prevented some 20,000 illegal migrants from entering Serbia and continuing their journey to the EU,” she said.
