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Government fulfils promises about European integration
Belgrade,
16 October 2011
Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said today that the greatest successes of the Serbian government are obtaining the visa-free regime for Serbian citizens for travelling to EU member states and the European Commission’s (EC) proposal for granting Serbia EU candidate status.
Author:
pressonline.rs
In an interview to today’s issue of daily "Press", Cvetkovic underlined that the government was working in extremely difficult circumstances, during the greatest global economic crisis and fulfilled promises about European integration of Serbia.
Two moments will be remembered in the history of this government - the moment when the citizens got the opportunity to travel freely without visas, which gave them back their reputation and dignity, and of course, the recommendation for Serbia's candidacy for EU membership, the Prime Minister said.
Cvetkovic believes that the report of the EC with a positive recommendation for Serbia's candidacy is a kind of diploma to the Serbian government for the achievements in the process of European integration and its reform commitment.
We have achieved a huge progress, and in the report of the EC it is evident that almost entire legal, social and economic system of Serbia has been changed. The fact that Brussels did not set us any additional conditions for the situation in these areas shows that the report is very good for Serbia. What remains is Kosovo, but that problem was created neither by this, nor by the previous government, but is rather a problem that has existed for decades, Cvetkovic said, noting that Serbia’s European integration and the solution for Kosovo-Metohija are two simultaneous processes.
He declared that Kosovo-Metohija needs a lasting sustainable solution, righteous and acceptable for all, noting that this government placed emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy.
The Prime Minister described as positive that fact that the EC recommended that the talks on the date of beginning of EU accession talks can start as soon as a certain progress in dialogue with Pristina is achieved.
When asked about the financial effects of the candidacy, Cvetkovic said that the sum to which Serbia will be entitled in European funds will be known in 2013, after the new EU budget is adopted.
Until then, once it becomes a candidate country, it will be entitled to €200 million in grants for the areas it chooses on its own.
He underlined that the recommendation for obtaining the candidate status will be a favourable signal to foreign investors and added that the talks have already started with several big foreign investors.
Two moments will be remembered in the history of this government - the moment when the citizens got the opportunity to travel freely without visas, which gave them back their reputation and dignity, and of course, the recommendation for Serbia's candidacy for EU membership, the Prime Minister said.
Cvetkovic believes that the report of the EC with a positive recommendation for Serbia's candidacy is a kind of diploma to the Serbian government for the achievements in the process of European integration and its reform commitment.
We have achieved a huge progress, and in the report of the EC it is evident that almost entire legal, social and economic system of Serbia has been changed. The fact that Brussels did not set us any additional conditions for the situation in these areas shows that the report is very good for Serbia. What remains is Kosovo, but that problem was created neither by this, nor by the previous government, but is rather a problem that has existed for decades, Cvetkovic said, noting that Serbia’s European integration and the solution for Kosovo-Metohija are two simultaneous processes.
He declared that Kosovo-Metohija needs a lasting sustainable solution, righteous and acceptable for all, noting that this government placed emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy.
The Prime Minister described as positive that fact that the EC recommended that the talks on the date of beginning of EU accession talks can start as soon as a certain progress in dialogue with Pristina is achieved.
When asked about the financial effects of the candidacy, Cvetkovic said that the sum to which Serbia will be entitled in European funds will be known in 2013, after the new EU budget is adopted.
Until then, once it becomes a candidate country, it will be entitled to €200 million in grants for the areas it chooses on its own.
He underlined that the recommendation for obtaining the candidate status will be a favourable signal to foreign investors and added that the talks have already started with several big foreign investors.
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