Serbia should have a clear strategy during the EU accession negotiations, make a better use of its diplomatic network and develop its relations with all of the EU Member States so as to improve its international image during the accession process, said Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport at the meeting traditionally organised by the Faculty of Economics, Finance and Administration (FEFA) on the occasion of Europe Day.
Each EU candidate country has to put a lot of effort in its own promotion, Davenport told the “Improving Serbia’s Image During Accession Talks – Is Lobbying Helpful?” conference.
For lobbying, and promoting the interest of Serbia, one needs to have a good story. In order to have one, there is a need to have a vision and I believe this vision is now clearer than ever before when it comes to Serbia’s commitment to the EU, said the EU Ambassador.
To improve the country’s international credibility vision and coordination, including diplomatic network is needed. It seems that there is room for even better use of the network of professional diplomats, said Davenport.
Minister in charge with European integration Jadranka Joksimović said that recent visits of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Štefan Füle immediately after the new Government was formed, show that Serbia has started to change its image.
The visits of Ashton and Füle are a clear signal that in spite of all the obstacles and challenges, Brussels has recognised a shift in Serbia’s policy and its image as well, and that Serbia “has turned itself from being a part of the problem, into being a part of the solution,” Joksimović said.
The conference held at Dom omladine on the occasion of Europe Day was organised by the Faculty of Economics, Finance and Administration (FEFA), in cooperation with the EU Delegation to Serbia and Open Society Fund.
