Q:
A:
France supports Serbia’s EU efforts
Belgrade/Paris,
4 November 2008
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration, Bozidar Djelic, stated today that French President Nicolas Sarkozy will send a strong signal of support to Serbia, and also announced Sarkozy’s visit to Serbia next year.
Bozidar Djelic, left, and Jean-Pierre Jouyet
Author:
Fonet
Djelic said after meeting with French Minister of European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet, that France strongly supports Serbia’s EU efforts, noting that France now only requires full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
He said he recieved confirmation that France wants Serbia to joint the EU as soon as possible and that Serbian citizens should be allowed to travel without visas.
Djelic announced that Jouyet will put on the agenda for the next French government session the issue of visa liberalisation for Serbia.
He also said, that after President Boris Tadic’s meeting with President Sarkozy in October, France is more resolute in its support of Serbia.
Serbia has a chance to obtain EU candidate status, as well as visa regime liberalisation, in 2009. As for a report of EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on Serbia’s progress, Djelic said that the annual European Commission’s report insists more needs to be done.
He added that the French Minister for the EU affirmed that the report is a good base for Serbia to become a EU candidate during next year.
According to him, Serbia and France have opposing views on the Kosovo issue, but France entirely recognised Serbia’s right to ask for an advisory opinion in this respect from the International Court of Justice.
France clearly states that the issue of EULEX, supported by all EU members, is not a precondition for Serbia’s EU integration but expects a constructive attitude from Serbia towards the EULEX mission, Djelic stated.
He specified that this issue was not discussed at today’s meeting, since it is to be resolved in New York.
Djelic also said that Serbia has to develop bilateral relations with the US, as the largest power in the world, regardless of who wins their election.
Asked whether a new US president will contribute to a change of the US policy towards Serbia, Djelic said that the US does not change policy easily, but it is hard to believe that any administration in Washington can be less inclined towards Serbia than previous ones.
He said he recieved confirmation that France wants Serbia to joint the EU as soon as possible and that Serbian citizens should be allowed to travel without visas.
Djelic announced that Jouyet will put on the agenda for the next French government session the issue of visa liberalisation for Serbia.
He also said, that after President Boris Tadic’s meeting with President Sarkozy in October, France is more resolute in its support of Serbia.
Serbia has a chance to obtain EU candidate status, as well as visa regime liberalisation, in 2009. As for a report of EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on Serbia’s progress, Djelic said that the annual European Commission’s report insists more needs to be done.
He added that the French Minister for the EU affirmed that the report is a good base for Serbia to become a EU candidate during next year.
According to him, Serbia and France have opposing views on the Kosovo issue, but France entirely recognised Serbia’s right to ask for an advisory opinion in this respect from the International Court of Justice.
France clearly states that the issue of EULEX, supported by all EU members, is not a precondition for Serbia’s EU integration but expects a constructive attitude from Serbia towards the EULEX mission, Djelic stated.
He specified that this issue was not discussed at today’s meeting, since it is to be resolved in New York.
Djelic also said that Serbia has to develop bilateral relations with the US, as the largest power in the world, regardless of who wins their election.
Asked whether a new US president will contribute to a change of the US policy towards Serbia, Djelic said that the US does not change policy easily, but it is hard to believe that any administration in Washington can be less inclined towards Serbia than previous ones.
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