Toespraak Barroso na ontmoeting met Servische president Boris Tadic (en)

EUCO 32/12

PRESSE 70

PR PCE 27

Remarks by

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy

after his meeting with President of Serbia Boris Tadić

Today’s meeting provided the opportunity once again to reaffirm our shared commitment to Serbia’s European perspective.

President Tadić has steered Serbia closer to the European Union with vision, courage and determination. His country has addressed the three requirements set out by the European Council on 9 December 2011, which relate to regional cooperation, the integrated management for crossing points (IBM) and cooperation with EULEX/KFOR.

In this context, I congratulated President Tadić on the successful outcome of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue meeting, which was held in Brussels on 22-24 February 2012. I should like to pay tribute to both sides for reaching two important agreements, which will bring long term political and practical benefits for Serbia, Kosovo and all the people in the region. It is my hope that Serbia will continue to support regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans. The implementation of the agreements achieved so far remains key.

The General Affairs Council today has examined and confirmed Serbia's progress and recommends to grant Serbia candidate status. It is my intention to bring this issue to the European Council on 1-2 March 2012 with the purpose of confirming Serbia's candidate status.