Statement to the media after meeting with President Tomislav Nikolić

European Commission, Statement,Belgrade, 5 May 2014:

"Dobar dan, it is good to be back in Serbia and start my visit with the meeting with President Nikolić.

This is a crucial period for EU-Serbia relations and an important chapter in the modern history of Serbia is being written – a very European chapter. Serbia has made impressive progress on its path towards EU integration.

It is very encouraging to see that in the last elections the Serbian citizens have supported parties with clear and ambitious commitment to the EU integration.

In the meeting with President Nikolić, I have stressed what we consider three key priorities for Serbia in the coming months:

• • First: Economic governance and reforms,
• • Second: The rule of law, including the fight against corruption and reform of the public administration,
• • Third: Further commitment to the normalisation of relations with Pristina as well as to regional cooperation and reconciliation.

I underlined in the discussion with the President that we are fully committed to help Serbia with the necessary reforms.

•  We will step up our support to Serbia in this new phase: with technical expertise for Serbia's alignment with the EU legislation, as well as with targeted financial support adjusted to Serbia's needs and in particular to the needs of Serbian citizens.

• Few days ago we have celebrated the 10th anniversary of the biggest EU enlargement. Back in 2004 the EU integration of Serbia seemed like a very distant future. Nowadays it is a very clear prospect. And I am fully confident that Serbia has the ability to make this prospect a reality rather soon."

[europa.eu]

5/5/14

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