Our joint aim is peace, stability and prosperity of the region, said European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn following his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, adding that in that respect Serbia plays a key role being the biggest country whether somebody likes it or not.
He said he was grateful for the leadership of President Vucic and added that the region should be looking into the future and not the past.
Hahn supported and described as brilliant the initiative put forward by President Vucic about the establishment of regional economic cooperation as part of region’s preparations for EU membership and common European market.
Regional market with 20 million people is attractive to investors and will boost economies of all countries in the region, Hahn said and added that fragmented markets failed to do so.
He congratulated Vucic on his election, adding that in substance nothing has change in terms of cooperation because there is still a very busy agenda ahead.
Hahn: Regional economic area is about preparing the region for EU accession
FoNet
“If anybody believes the regional economic area might distract the European perspective he or she is wrong,” said Hahn and added that it was about preparing the region for future accession to the European Union and the common market.
“I am happy that Serbia’s leadership, led by President Vucic, is taking this seriously and I am convinced that the Trieste summit will confirm this,” European Commissioner said.
“Here in the region today we see a growth rate that is two times higher than in the EU and I believe there is still much untapped potential. We know everything about the past and we should be looking into the future. It’s not always about facts and figures, but there is something behind, it is a strong belief about the freedom of expression and freedom of movement,” Hahn said.
Hahn said that the EU Council reaffirmed the European perspective of Serbia, announcing the opening of two additional negotiating chapters and recalled that he and Minister Joksimovic signed an Agreement within IPA 2016 package amounting to EUR95 million.
“Since 2007, the Union has provided over EUR2 billion for Serbia’s development,” Hahn said and announced that today he would launch a new phase within the construction of Zezelj bridge.
“Overall situation has improved; I am not always here to complain about inefficiency. There will always be challenges to tackle, but that is alright if there is a political will as the one we witness in Serbia,” Hahn said.
He said that the Berlin Plus plan was not a substitute for EU membership, but quite the opposite – it proved and stressed the commitment of EU Member States to invest and engage further in the region.
“We are grateful for this idea, and I would love that idea to be accompanied by finance. Such an initiative should entice German and other companies to come to Serbia. It is even more important than securing the money,” he said.
Hahn refused to comment on statements coming from Pristina claiming that the Community of Serb municipalities would never be created, pointing to the on-going campaign in Kosovo.
“I do not want to go there. According to surveys, all citizens in the region, regardless of the country, have a strong interest in joining the EU. Hence, a responsible and sensible politician is aware of its citizens’ expectations and knows how to contribute to achieving those goals,” Hahn said.
Vucic: EU support is important for peace, stability, economic development wages and pensions raise and job creation
FoNet
Our goal is peace and stability and we call on the European Union and other stakeholders to assess actions taken by WB leaders in an impartial, independent and rational manner, and I am asking politicians in Pristina to change their mind-set, said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a press conference held jointly with European Commissioner Johannes Hahn.
Vucic thanked Hahn for any kind of support, not only the financial aspect of support, but also the knowhow, technology and expert exchange, adding that it should be noted that 67 per cent of Serbian exports are shipped to EU market.
He said he was grateful and happy for the signature of IPA 2016 package and support for the opening of new negotiating chapters.
He stressed the importance of EU support for regional stability and peace, the two aspects that affect economic development, wages and pensions raise and job creation.
European Commissioner began his visit to Belgrade with a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Acting Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, ahead of the conference EU-Western Balkans Investment Climate Forum.
