Brnabic recalled that Serbia accepted the new, improved methodology of the EU enlargement policy and was the first of all countries in the negotiation process to adjust its structures for conducting negotiations, in order to reach the criteria in the continuation of the accession process faster.
Speaking about the European Commission's Semi-Annual Report on the Rule of Law in Serbia, she emphasised that she believes that this document provides the necessary balance as a condition for further progress in the process.
The Prime Minister pointed out that it states the significant results that Serbia has achieved in the past period, although it was burdened by the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
Brnabic especially pointed to the fact that our country, with the goal of faster accession to the EU, is initiating important projects of regional cooperation and that we continue to improve our economy, so that we could be in line with European values in that segment as well.
Joksimovic pointed to the importance of regular strategic communication of all actors in the negotiations, primarily with EU Member States and the European Commission.
She especially underlined that all necessary activities have been carried out in order to make our negotiation positions covered by cluster three - Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth and cluster four - Green Agenda, digitalisation and sustainable connectivity available to the European Commission within the set deadlines.
The Minister also expressed her belief that there were many elements to start applying the new methodology in full, but that Serbia understands the holding of the political Intergovernmental Conference announced for next week, as a partial valorisation of what we have achieved so far and an incentive to further strengthen our reform course.
Fabrizi and the ambassadors of the EU Member States expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister and the ministers at the meeting, and welcomed Serbia's commitment to the path of European integration.
They also welcomed the decision to hold the next Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg next week, the first since the adoption of the new negotiation methodology.
Ambassador Fabrizi noted the great work that has been done in a short period of time in various areas of reform, especially welcoming Serbia's efforts to meet the criteria for opening clusters three and four.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia especially highlighted the need to use the good momentum in the negotiation process and the huge opportunity presented by the Intergovernmental Conference next week to provide the necessary political direction to continue joint work on accelerating the accession process.
He encouraged the Serbian government to continue making concrete results in reforms, especially in the field of the rule of law.
Fabrizi also underlined that the cooperation with Serbia regarding the implementation of programmes and projects financed by the European Union is proceeding according to joint plans and that our country and the Western Balkans region will continue to receive development assistance from the Instrument for Accession Assistance and the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans.
It was jointly concluded that this support is necessary to accelerate reforms, enhance regional economic integration and support the transition to a green and digital economy.
The meeting was also attended by the coordinators of all six clusters, representatives of the competent institutions who informed the ambassadors about the activities and results within all groups of chapters for which they are in charge.