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

Serbia deserves progress in European integration

Belgrade/Vienna, 22 March 2023

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic stated in Vienna today that European integration is Serbia’s strategic commitment and that our country deserves progress on the European path and the opening of clusters.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg, Dacic said that judging by what Serbia has done so far in the implementation of agreements on the Kosovo issue, as well as others, like abolishing visas for some countries in order to reduce illegal migration, it should have been a member of the EU since long time ago.

He underlined that a precondition for any further implementation of the European proposal for the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina is the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities.

Dacic emphasised that he expects that the EU will know how to appreciate Serbia’s constructiveness and that it will open new chapters in the negotiations.

Our country respects the principles of international law, that is, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of every state without precedent, including Ukraine, he explained, adding that Serbia does not impose sanctions on Russia due to its interests which include, among others, the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Schallenberg assessed that the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina reached in Ohrid is very important and that Austria gives full support to Serbia and the Western Balkans in the process of European integration.

The minister also noted that Serbia and Austria have traditionally good relations, and particular progress has been made in cooperation on the matter of illegal migration, given that Serbia introduced visas to countries such as Tunisia, India and some other with which it had a visa-free regime, which reduced the inflow of migrants from these countries in the countries of the EU.

Schallenberg and Dacic announced that next year the two countries will together mark a century and a half of bilateral relations, which were established in 1874.

Prior to the meeting with Schallenberg, Dacic talked with President of the National Council of the Austrian parliament Wolfgang Sobotka and with OSCE Secretary-General Helga Schmid, by which he wrapped up his visit to Vienna.