Serbia’s progress appreciated by EU

Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said that Serbia’s future membership of the EU was now an “apparent certainty” but urged the country to press ahead with key reforms.

In his first visit to Belgrade after the country’s new government was formed, Fuele said today that Serbia, which started EU accession talks in January, has made impressive progress.

"A few days ago we marked the tenth anniversary of the biggest enlargement of the EU. Back in 2004, European integration of Serbia seemed like the distant future and today it is an apparent certainty. I am convinced that Serbia has the ability to turn that possibility into reality”, he said after meeting Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic.

He set out what Brussels sees as the three main priorities for the country — economic reform and recovery, the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Kosovo.

Nikolic acknowledged after the meeting that “the fulfillment of obligations is up to us”.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also visited Belgrade on April 28 to show the Brussels’ support for the new Serbian administration.

“It is wonderful to see Serbia on its journey to joining the European Union, and the strength of commitment of everyone that I have met – not just in government but outside – to that journey is what is going to guarantee success, I hope, in good time", Ashton said.

Fuele is also due to meet Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and parliament speaker Maja Gojkovic, and also confer with Serbia's justice and interior ministers Nikola Selakovic and Nebojsa Stefanovic.

Prior to his visit, Fuele said that he would congratulate the new government on its election and discuss additional support to Serbia in the EU accession talks, which he said are making good progress.

“The EU's work with Serbia focuses on the country achieving a level of preparedness that will leave no room for doubts about its ability to take full responsibility as soon as it joins the EU”, Fuele told Serbian newspaper Vecernje Novosti ahead of the visit.