First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic and Director for Western Europe, the Western Balkans and Turkey at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Angelina Eichhorst expressed satisfaction with the decision of the European Union to open the first negotiation chapters (Chapter 35 and Chapter 32) with Serbia in December last year.
Author:
msp.gov.rs
Dacic and Eichhorst assessed that Serbia will continue to implement reforms and take part in the process of European integration.
Eichhorst expressed the hope that chapters 23 and 24 will be opened soon.
Speaking about the process of normalisation of relations with Kosovo, Dacic pointed out that owing to the active involvement of Belgrade, numerous important agreements have been made so far in dialogue with Pristina, which will be continued in January.
Eichhorst referred especially to the developments in the Western Balkans and highlighted the importance of the further strengthening of regional cooperation and mutual trust.
Further activities of Serbia within the framework of Chapter 31 which deals with the foreign, security and defence policy were discussed and its harmonisation with the EU acquis and EU’s foreign policy.
In this context, the two officials agreed that it is necessary to intensify cooperation on the political and expert level.
They also examined the developments on the wider international scene and conflicts that continue to affects regions in Europe’s neighbourhood.
A special interest in Serbia’s views on these matters has been expressed, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.