The European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Federica Mogherini discussed in Brussels with Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić Serbia’s progress in EU accession process, a need to further normalise ties with Kosovo, but also a necessity that Belgrade aligns its foreign policy with the EU.
Commissioner Hahn, due to officially visit Serbia on Thursday, 20 November, said he reassured Dacic “about the firmness of EU’s commitment to Serbia’s European perspective. My forthcoming visit to Serbia this week, early in my mandate, is a sign that enlargement negotiations have the same priority as before.”
“I have expressed that Serbia can rely on the full support of the Commission to continue in the process with the same success they have had thus far,” Hahn said.
However, he warned that “much work still lies ahead and I wish to stress that Serbia needs to continue delivering on its reform priorities in a sustained manner as the pace of negotiations will depend on progress in key areas, as well as on the normalisation process with Kosovo.”
He commended the progress that has been made in relation to normalising relations with Kosovo, saying “it is thanks to this progress that both parties are now progressing closer towards EU accession.”
“I am confident that Belgrade and Pristina will ensure that this progress continues,” the commissioner said.
In a separate statement Mogherini said she also discussed with Dacic a progress in the EU facilitated dialogue and implementation of agreements.
“I hope to see the high-level dialogue resume soon, but the EU expects Belgrade and Pristina to continue working on implementation in the meantime,” she said.
Having discussed with Dacic foreign policy, Hahn welcomed Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic’s “unequivocal stance on Serbia’s EU path during President Putin’s visit. ”
“I underlined that, as per its negotiating framework, Serbia should progressively align its foreign policy positions to the EU ones,” Hahn said.
Same message Dacic was given by High Representative Mogherini, who said she “reiterated to First Deputy Prime Minister Dacic our position on the need for Serbia’s progressive alignment with the EU’s foreign policy.”
Mogherini said “foreign policy challenges that we are facing today” was also discussed, adding that she was particularly interested to hear Dacic’s views in light of the upcoming Serbian chairmanship of the OSCE.
“We agreed that the crisis in Ukraine is a first priority and needs to be resolved in accordance with the fundamental principles of the OSCE,” Mogherini said.
In addition, Hahn praised Serbia’s “leadership and responsibility in the regional cooperation. The holding of WB6 regional conference on economic governance and the visit of Albanian PM Rama in Belgrade last week, highlight Serbia’s will to position itself as a leader in the region.”
“The EU attaches great importance to progress of Serbia on its road to the EU, which bears a powerful message for the entire Western Balkans region,” Hahn said.
