During his visit to Belgrade, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said the EU was unequivocally committed to enlarging to the Western Balkans with Serbia being on top of the list.
“Be confident that you have clear support and resolve to become a member of the European family,“ said Hahn at the press conference held jointly with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.
He reminded that at the Paris Summit held in early July, all leaders expressed their commitment to enlargement to the Western Balkans with, as he put it, “Serbia being on top of the list.” Hahn said that he EU would continue to work hard in order to achieve further progress of Serbia on its European path.
He reiterated that alignment with EU standards should be done in the interest of Serbian citizens and no to please European officials.
According to him, this is important in order to achieve the well-being and prosperity and make the country more attractive for investments.
Serbia’s European path is a time-consuming process, said Hahn and added that it was necessary for that process to include not only Government members, but the society as a whole.
“We are determined to move towards the goal of Serbia’s EU accession,” Hahn said.
Hahn: The future of the region is in the EU
Following the meeting with Prime Minister Vucic, Hahn attended the session of Serbian Government. While addressing the public, he said he monitored closely all statements coming from Croatia and commended Serbian Prime Minister for not reacting to provocation.
“We are aware of all statements. And allow me to say, and I believe the PM and I are on the same page when it comes to this, I am happy with the way he reacted or rather did not react. My job is not to provoke, but completely the opposite,” said Hahn answering the journalists’ question.
Hahn reminded that Croatian Parliament supported Serbian EU path with a majority of votes. “It was a good and wise decision and I hope it would not change,” said Hahn answering the question of whether Zagreb could block Serbia’s EU path.
According to him, the future of the entire region is in the EU which is why we need the region to remain peaceful.
“Serbia shares its interests with the rest of the region and you need a peaceful region and resolve when it comes to European perspective to which all leaders of the WB have committed, without interfering with each other’s perspective,” Hahn said.
He added that he expected EU member states to support further enlargement of the EU. He said leaders in the region and beyond were expected to support the development of the region towards EU integration.
“This should be seen as making a contribution to the interest of each country. Developing the region takes time and commitment and Serbia’s accession to the EU will serve as an example in the end. This is my personal goal and I will do anything to contribute to achieving it.”
Hahn said the EU was by far the biggest economic market in the world, with a share of seven percent in world’s population, manufacturing 20 percent of globally sold products. European countries should, as he put it, be aware of the global competition and of the fact that it could be dealt with only in unity.
He said that “it is in the EU’s interest to make the Balkans prosperous” and added that due to history, nothing could change overnight, but that the challenge for politicians was to move forward, have a vision, and always bear their citizens in mind.
“That is what leadership is about, that is the difference between a politician and statesman and, luckily, your Prime Minister is a statesman,” Hahn said at the press conference held jointly with Serbian Prime Minister.
Vucic: European integration is the best path for Serbia
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia depended on the EU and that EU integration was the best path the country could take. Speaking about the European integration of Serbia, Vucic said that obligations of Serbia in this process were discussed at the session, especially in the context of Chapter 35, which, as he said, is the most difficult for Serbia as it pertains to Kosovo.
Vucic said Serbia strives to have good relations with Croatia and other countries in the region. “Croatia is a serious nation and Serbia wants to catch up with their economy and not trade insults and mean words,” said Vucic and added he hoped to see a different government in Croatia following the elections, the one with which Serbia would have good relations.
Vucic thanked the EU on its major assistance and support in the aftermath of floods. “Flooded towns now look better than before and enjoy much better economic status,” he said.
He thanked for numerous EU-funded projects in Serbia, such as the reconstruction of Golubac Fortress, adding that municipalities in Bor and Branicevo districts have a great development potential.
EU accounts for 85 percent in Serbia’s overall foreign trade, Serbian Prime Minister said and added that EU investment in Serbia accounted for 75 percent of total investment. “Everyone in Serbia who readily speaks negatively about the EU should be aware of the economic data,” Vucic said.
EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn also met with Speaker of the National Assembly Maja Gojkovic and expressed support to Parliament’s role in the process of EU integration. Hahn said cooperative Parliament gave a wider perspective to dialogue, adding that the development of the entire region was closely linked to the interest of each country.
Gojkovic highlighted the importance of National Assembly’s role in the process of European integration, adding that Serbia was determined to keep the course of EU accession and that she hoped that by the time Slovak Presidency of the EU Council ended, new negotiating chapters would have been opened.
