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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

EU membership most important foreign policy goal of Serbia

Belgrade, 11 September 2017

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic met today with Permanent Undersecretary of the Foreign Office Simon McDonald, to whom she said that membership in the European Union is the most important foreign policy goal of Serbia, but that it is equally important how we will implement reforms on the path to membership.

Brnabic pointed out that by the end of the year, Serbia expects to open three additional chapters, and that this will further contribute to strengthening public support for the European idea.

The results of the reforms that will be achieved on this path are more important to me. Citizens are thinking about how many chapters are open, but the government is focused on results. I think we will be ready to join the EU by 2020, but the road to the Union is important for us. When this standard is attained, it will be a "win-win" situation, and then the date of entry will not matter, she explained.

The Prime Minister pointed out the positive indicators of economic reforms in Serbia conducted over the past three years, and added that the government's goal is to continue to implement fiscal discipline and to focus on measures to increase GDP.

Our goal is also to reform education and through digitalisation create the basis for our economy to be driven by innovations, not investments. And that is why we have to work hard to achieve this higher level, Brnabic said.

She stressed that Serbia needs a system of education for the 21st century and that the introduction of compulsory IT in elementary schools this year is the first step on this path.

The Prime Minister added that the successful continuation of Serbia's development and the acceleration of economic growth, both in our country and in the rest of the Western Balkans region, will not be possible without the preservation of regional political stability and good neighbourly relations.

Brnabic said that our country will continue to lead a responsible policy and will remain dedicated to the policy of solving all outstanding issues through dialogue.

Serbia is sincerely advocating for the preservation of regional stability. None of our countries have a big market, and whatever happens in one country, it will affect the rest of the region. That is why we need to build a stronger and stronger region, she stressed.

McDonald agreed with Branbic that the internal dialogue on Kosovo-Metohija, initiated by President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, is very important, and that it should involve a larger number of participants.

He pointed out that dialogue is as important as the path of Serbia towards the EU, as it also leads to a gradual improvement of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

McDonald added that he came to Serbia to convey the message that the UK, although exiting the EU, respects and supports the desire for Serbia's membership in the Union and will show it at the Western Balkans Summit and the EU in London next year.