Eurocommissaris Füle: Servië gaat nieuwe fase in (en)

European Commission

Press release

Brussels, 16 July 2013

Commissioner Štefan Füle in Belgrade: Serbia entering new phase of relations with the European Union

Commissioner Füle will be in Belgrade on 17 and 18 July to meet with the Serbian leadership and to welcome the country entering a decisive new phase in its relations with the European Union, after the European Council of 28 June decided to open accession negotiations with Serbia.

Commissioner Füle will be discussing the current situation and next steps with the Serbian president, government and members of parliament. Among the topics on the agenda, will be setting up the country's necessary structures for the negotiations process, and confirming the continuing priorities for Serbia’s European agenda: sustaining the reforms over time, implementing all agreements of the dialogue with Pristina, continuing to play a pivotal role in the region and promoting lasting reconciliation.

"The decision to open accession negotiations is a major achievement for the Serbian leaders and rewards persistent efforts over the last decade. These efforts need to continue: the negotiations process is demanding and takes years. I look forward to opening a whole new phase with Serbia now.

The European integration process will also from now on become increasingly tangible for the administration, civil society, business people, students, researchers and for Serbian society at large, truly for all citizens of Serbia, in many aspects of their daily lives. " c ommissioner Füle said.

The Commissioner will be accompanied by Commission officials who will help Serbian authorities to get acquainted with the negotiations process at a targeted seminar in the following days.

For more information:

http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/serbia/index_en.htm