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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia advances towards EU at steady pace

Belgrade, 18 December 2013

Prime Minister Ivica Dacic stated today that he firmly believes that Serbia will become a full EU member state faster than any other country, noting that the pace of the progress will depend on the commitment to that process.

Speaking at a press conference in the Serbian government, Dacic said that Slovakia was the first one to gain membership, where the process took five or six years, which Serbia can also achieve.

He underlined that what seemed like a dream for years and decades has started to come true, that Serbia is going to Europe with certainty, and that the current government has not only opened the door to Europe, but also stepped into it.

We have fulfilled the most important promise, the Prime Minister stated and thanked all members of the government, especially First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, for their contribution in the achievement of this goal.

Dacic underlined that he is proud that he heads the government which has managed to achieve such a result, and gave special thanks to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton for being the only negotiator in a long time with such an objective attitude towards Serbia.

He reiterated that the beginning of negotiations is a historic decision which Serbia deserved, and that this government will be remembered for making the greatest success in the recent parliamentary history of the country.

This government has taken a political risk, made a step forward and led the country towards two key objectives, namely the implementation of reforms and the resolution of the issue of Kosovo, while at the same time not neglecting national and state interests.

Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels will continue and Serbia intends to normalise relations with Kosovo, not because someone is forcing it to do so, but because it believes that that is its duty, the Prime Minister said and reiterated that Serbia will not recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, nor will it change its position on that issue.

He underlined that Serbia did not get the date because the government gave way in the protection of its national and state interests, but because it tried to achieve the goals set through other means.

Dacic assessed that Kosovo will remain the most difficult subject in the continuation of negotiations with the EU, noting that even if Serbia were a perfectly organised welfare state, it would not enter negotiations with the EU if progress in dialogue with Pristina had not been made.

If other countries had to go through what Serbia is experiencing, they would never have joined the EU, which is why every effort we make should be valued twice as much, the Prime Minister stressed.

Today Serbia is referred to with respect, he said, adding that this moment represents the end of a difficult period which will be followed by a new beginning through overall reforms which should show that our country can do that job faster and better than others.

We do not want to be a mediocre country, but to find our place among countries that are at the very top, Dacic stated and confirmed that he will attend together with First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic the first intergovernmental conference with the EU, which is most likely to be held in Brussels on 21 January next year.

The Prime Minister announced for 24 December an open session of the Serbian government which will be attended by representatives of the media who will have the opportunity to ask questions, as well as a reception for all those who participated and contributed towards this historic success for Serbia.