European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia David McAllister said that Serbia needed to make stronger efforts to align its foreign and security policy with European Union, policy on Russia included.
David McAllister believes that Serbia, due to its traditionally strong ties with Russia, could play a decisive role in EU-Moscow relations. However, in an interview with Belgrade Vecernje novosti daily, McAllister said “Serbia did not align with EU’s restrictive measures and hosted certain persons on EU’s blacklist with honours, while organising military exercises with Russian army.”
McAllister sees “a rather good and fruitful cooperation with NATO” and calls on Serbia to remain committed to it. When asked about opening of chapters within accession negotiations with EU, he said that a significant progress was made in Belgrade-Pristina talks and that the latest agreements gave “impetus to this high-level dialogue.”
Serbian Government shows “commitment to integration process” says McAllister but adds that “thorough implementation of laws and policies remains key parameter of successful integration process”.
It is time to open the first chapter, McAllister says without being specific on the date. “Decision on benchmarks and opening of chapters is entirely in hands of European Council, based on European Commission’s recommendations,” said Rapporteur of European Parliament for Serbia David McAllister.
