Zanda Kalnia-Lukaševica calls on Serbia to strengthen the rule of law and normalise relations with Kosovo

On 11 March in Strasbourgh, the Latvian Foreign Ministry's Parliamentary State Secretary for European Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, met with the Minister for European Integration of Serbia, Jadranka Joksimović, to discuss the course and prospects of Serbia's negotiations for the accession to the EU.

Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica emphasised that Latvia supports Serbia's aspirations of joining the EU and highly appreciated support from the Serbian society and political commitment of Serbia's government. The Parliamentary State Secretary emphasised that the Latvian Presidency supports the opening, in the near future, of the first chapters in Serbia's EU accession negotiations. To achieve that, Serbia must put in place comprehensive reforms in economy, the judicial system, and public administration, and achieve tangible results in the fight against corruption and the protection of fundamental and minority rights.

The dialogue for the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina is also of key importance. The Parliamentary State Secretary commended Serbia's engagement in regional cooperation, which makes it possible for the Western Balkans countries to develop joint cross-border project, for instance, in the sectors of infrastructure and energy interconnection.

The discussion also dealt with the European Parliament resolution evaluating the European integration process of Serbia over the past year. The issue was debated at the plenary session of the European Parliament on 10 March.

Serbia has been an EU candidate country since March 2012, and the accession talks were launched in January 2014. None of the accession chapters have been opened so far.