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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia, Slovenia to intensify cooperation

Belgrade, 2 November 2010

Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic talked today with Slovene Deputy Prime Minister for Development and European Affairs Mitja Gaspari about Slovenia’s support to Serbia on its EU path, the Danube Strategy and succession issues.

Bozidar Djelic, left, and Mitja Gaspari

Following the meting Djelic observed that agreement was reached to intensify cooperation, in line with the Memorandum signed by Serbia and Slovenia, by hiring a number of Slovene experts to work for the Serbian EU Integration Office for a certain period.

He noted that experience has shown that the Slovenes are Serbia’s most efficient advisors in this field, not only because of their shared history, but also because Slovenia is an EU member and has direct access to the entire integration process.

Djelic noted that they also discussed the Danube Strategy, since Slovenia and its River Sava, which flows into the Danube, have a significant role in the Danube region.

An agreement was reached that Serbia and Slovenia should support each other in the building of infrastructure and to represent their common interests in future projects that will be assisted from EU funds, Djelic said.

He added that the process of succession, although it progressed during the first half of the last decade, has been stopped now, and pointed out that Serbia remains committed to resolving outstanding issues.

Gaspari said that Serbia has a good chance to accelerate its EU accession process and added that Slovenia will make sure to convey its experiences, both good and bad, so that Serbia could use the good and avoid the bad and thus shorten the integration process.

He expressed his hope that Serbia will make good use of all opportunities that EU offers and that it will show that this part of the Balkans was neglected in the last 10-15 years, although, as he noted, countries like Serbia are much better prepared for the EU than some which already became members.