What Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Evangelos Venizelos, Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Prime Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic and First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said after the First Intergovernmental conference that marked the official start of EU membership negotiations with Serbia. – Gratitude to Catherine Ashton.

BRUSSELS, 21 January 2014 (FoNet) – We have just opened accession negotiations of Serbia to the European Union with pleasure of all Member States, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Evangelos Venizelos, while Prime Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic assessed that today`s event was the most significant for Serbia since the World War II and it will determine further path of Serbia.

Venizelos said that it was a historic day and opening of a historic chapter for Serbian nation, but he added that he is very pleased that it was done during the Greek presidency of the Union.

It will be a testimony of Serbia`s strong commitment to the European course. The negotiating framework for Serbia, which had been adopted by the EU Council, was presented at the meeting. That text takes into account experiences of enlargement, but also specific characteristics of Serbia, said Venizelos.

Visible progress

The aim is for Serbia to adopt EU acquis and to implement them. New approach and experiences in negotiating chapters Justice and Security are in particular taken into account, as well as Serbia`s engagement in achieving visible and sustainable progress in its relations with Kosovo, which will lead to the comprehensive normalisation, said Venizelos.

Venizelos pointed out that the process should ensure that Serbia and Kosovo remain on the European path and to avoid mutual blocking in that process.

He thanked EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and European Commissioner for Enlargement Štefan Füle for their efforts and expressed confidence in Serbia`s capacity to achieve progress.

Dacic emphasised that Serbia had determined its further path and values to which it strives and the quality of society that it advocates.

Such a big day cannot be neglected. We who take part in politics can interpret this as a part of our everyday responsibilities, but today with accession negotiations Serbia is becomimg a part of family of European Nations, said Dacic.

A part of family

 18 months ago, the government was formed and this was not expected from us. We have surprised you. It was easy because you did not expect it. Now the government and the politicians who compose it are expected to do a lot, said Dacic.

The task is much harder now, said Dacic.

Dacic thanked Ashton, because she is responsible for reaching numerous agreements in Brussels process, as well asFüle, after whose reports Serbia got candidate status and opened negotiations.

We will be committed to building European values, internal reforms and continuation of dialogue with Pristina, announced Dacic.

From tomorrow we have to work, we did not get this day; we deserved it because we worked patiently and with commitment, said Dacic.

This is the beginning of a new path, which will be filled with various problems and for which we are trying to be quick, but also quality.

We set a goal for Serbia to be ready for membership by 2018, and that in formal terms we can also be a full EU member in 2020, stressed Dacic.

Dacic said that citizens will decide about the EU membership on referendum.

We lost a lot of time so we can assure you that we will do everything to convince you to make a decision about the EU membership of Serbia as soon as possible, said Dacic.

Implement the agreed

European Commissioner for Enlargement Štefan Füle greeted guests from Belgrade in Serbian language and assessed that this was a historic day for both Serbia and the EU.

Today we symbolically started negotiations at the highest political level, and the practical negotiations of chapters will follow in the months and years to come, explained Füle.

This represents the beginning of a new and crucial phase in the relationship between Serbia and the EU and it deserves a recognition of the progress made over the past years, said Füle.

It is a key to have the determination of Serbia to embrace the reforms and courage and unprecedented efforts to work towards the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, he added.

Belgrade will need to remain fully committed to the normalisation of relations with Kosovo and to the implementation of all achieved agreements. Reforms need to be finalised and the alignment with the EU acquis pursued, especially in Chapters 23 and 24, mentioned Füle.

I believe in the determination of the Serbian leadership to work hard in negotiating process, involving the parliament and civil society, said Füle and expressed confidence that Serbia can be inspiring example to the others in the region.

Brighter future

First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said that today was a great day for Serbia and its citizens, after many difficult days in Brussels and that it was nice to see Serbian flag next to the European.

We know that there are difficult tasks lying ahead of us, we will face many problems and difficulties, and our people will not approve them, but we are ready to fulfil our commitments because we look in the future, said Vucic.

Today citizens have clearly understood that there is a better and brighter future, and we have made all efforts in order for citizens to live better, he said.

We must work harder, more, more responsibly, more seriously. We are not glib and charming like others, but we have demonstrated seriousness in our work, said Vucic.

I am convinced that we can complete our commitments by 2018, and then it depends on you, on politics and climate in the EU, whether you will be able to accept Serbia as a new member by 2020, said Vucic.

We will complete rule of law system in the best faith, Chapters 23, 24, 32 and 25, and then you decide whether Serbia deserves to be a full EU member, said Vucic.