Serbia has made a significant progress on its EU path in past year, said Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport, adding that EU integration process in Serbia will bring changes to citizens, economy, and the society as a whole. Talking to students and representatives of civil society, Davenport said this particular process requires engagement of the whole society, including civil society organisations.
Addressing the SM 2014 International scientific conference, organised by the Faculty of Economics in Subotica, on the subject of Integration process as a factor of competitiveness and economic efficiency, Davenport presented new EU approach towards candidate countries‘ economic governance, as well as specific recommendations for Serbia adopted by EU ministers of Economy and Finance on 6 May.
Visit to Subotica was a part of the Open Europe programme, organised by the EU Delegation and the EU Info Centre to mark Europe Day, and while there, Ambassador Davenport and Minister in charge with European integrations met the Mayor of Subotica Jene Maglai before talking to students and civil society representatives.
Successful EU integrations “require not only the support of government and political circle, but of society as whole”, said Davenport and added that previous experience has showed that “role of civil society is of great importance in the broadest sense of word” during this process.
Davenport talked to students about EU values, accession process itself, possibilities of using IPA funds, changes Serbia may expect on its path to the EU membership, but also about challenges it is facing, such as youth wishing to leave the country.
It is necessary to create a positive environment that would have young people convinced Serbia is the best place for them and their families, said Ambassador Davenport.
During the visit, the Head of the EU Delegation opened the “Myths and Prejudices – How Serbia and EU View Each Other” comic/strip art exhibition at the Gallery of the Open University Subotica.
Comic/strip art competition is organised for the second year in a row by the EU Delegation to Serbia and the EU Info Centre. This year, the subject of the competition was “Myths and Prejudices – How Serbia and EU View Each Other”. There are two exhibitions set in Belgrade, in Knez Mihailova St and in Stadion shopping mall, whereas in June two additional exhibitions will be set in Niš and Novi Sad.
