Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem falling within the competence of the Government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem does not fall within our competence, we will forward your message to the competent institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

European Commission’s report on Serbia's progress in European integration process handed over

Belgrade, 12 October 2022

Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia Emanuele Giaufret handed over to President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, in the presence of Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic, the Report of the European Commission on Serbia's progress in its process of European integration.

Addressing media representatives at the Palace of Serbia, Vucic said that the report, among other things, emphasises that Serbia should intensify its efforts and harmonise its policy with the foreign policy of the European Union.

Serbia has regressed in only one area, as stated in the European Commission's progress report, and that part concerns Serbia’s foreign policy and the introduction of sanctions against Russia, he said.

He stated that today Serbia has a level of compliance with the Union in foreign policy of 45 percent.

That is Serbia's political decision and we are paying the price for it. I said that we will take their views and opinions into account with great seriousness and responsibility, he added.

The President of Serbia thanked the European Commission for the hard work on the extensive and comprehensive report and pointed out the importance of the EU for the economy of Serbia.

Last year, we had a growth of 23.3 percent in trade exchange with the EU and reached €37 billion, and this year, in the first eight months, we have an additional 28.3 percent growth in trade exchange with the EU. This shows the importance of the EU, the President of Serbia pointed out.

Vucic reminded that more than 50 percent of Western Balkan exports to the EU come from Serbia.

Serbia itself will export more to the EU than five other countries and entities from the Western Balkans. This also speaks of the EU's investments in our country, which are enormous, he said.

The President of Serbia pointed out that it is important that the European Commission stated that Serbia is ready to open Cluster 3.

This report opens up a lot of space for us to continue working with the EU Delegation in Belgrade and with Brussels on comprehensive reforms. To do a lot by the New Year regarding the rule of law, because better progress was observed in Chapter 24 – Justice, freedom and security, although there is also progress in Chapter 23 – Judiciary and fundamental rights, which is important for the overall democratisation of society and the legal order, the President of Serbia said.