Head of EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport said that the opening of the first chapters within Serbia’s EU membership negotiations was “a historic moment which makes Serbia’s European perspective more than tangible.”
“You have made a strategic decision about joining the EU. Serbia’s course and path to the EU are now clearly defined,” said Davenport during the ceremony at the Yugoslav Film Archive, organised by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on the occasion of opening of the first EU negotiating chapters.
Davenport said the key to opening of chapters was the fact that Serbia finalised it action plans for the rule of law, implemented provisions of Brussels Agreement, improved regional cooperation and economic reforms.
“We are impressed with your humane approach to migrant crisis,” Ambassador Davenport said.
He said that there was a lot of work ahead of the State and its citizens, especially in the area of energy, environment, rule of law, but that Serbia could count on EU support in the process.
“You have excellent experts inside and outside the Government who can implement our common plans,” said Head of EU Delegation.
Prime Minister Vucic said “there is much work ahead and we will raise the bar high in order to do our part well, thorough and in a faster manner.”
“We can now stop dreaming about Europe and start reaching for it thanks to our work,” Prime Minister said.
The ceremony was attended by Members of the Government, President Tomislav Nikolic, Mayor of Belgrade Sinisa Mali and representatives of diplomatic corps. The ceremony started off with the performance of European anthem “Ode to Joy” and ended with the performance of Serbian national anthem ”Boze pravde”.
