President of the European Commission Manuel Barroso met with Tomislav Nikolić, President of the Republic of Serbia on June 29 in Belgrade. President Barroso welcomed the priority given to economic reform saying that the accession process for Serbia is moving at a good pace. Commission President said:
"Good afternoon,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to thank President Nikolić for his very warm welcome and once again, Mr President, my thanks for your sincere words regarding my personal commitment and commitment of European Commission to Serbia and to the European path that was decided for Serbia by Serbian people.
President Nikolić and I have had a fruitful meeting today, very open and friendly conversation where we have discussed Serbia’s relations with the EU on the path towards the membership in the EU. Serbia has entered a new phase in the process with the opening of negotiations exactly one year ago, following the decision of the European Council, which was an unanimous decision of the Member States taken after a proposal was made in this direction by the European Commission.
The accession process is moving at a good pace, thanks to the commitment and dedication of the Serbian negotiation teams and its leaders. I have expressed to the president that the country can rely on the full support of the Commission to continue in this Our support is also given to the ambitious reform programme that the government has committed to.
With regard to the reform programme, we welcome the priority given to economic reform as well as the continued attention paid to ensuring the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime and the reform of the public administration. We believe that even independently from the EU accession process this is important for Serbian people, by its own merits - the importance of having rule of law in a modern country, European country like Serbia.
The EU also stands by Serbia in times of pain. I would like to reiterate my greatest sympathy for the victims of the floods and to present my condolences to the families and friends of the victim. During my visit to Obrenovac today, I have been impressed by the great courage and will of the Serbian people in the face of this tragedy. I visited a school that has more than 1500 students, pupils and the teachers and staff are now rebuilding the school. That is a great example.
I am proud that 22 EU Member States and the European Commission were present alongside Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in this largest European civil protection intervention in Europe ever. It demonstrated in concrete terms the solidarity of the EU to Serbia and its citizens.
Much work still lies ahead and I wish to stress that you can fully count on the support of the EU. The Commission – together with France and Slovenia – is organising a high level Donors Conference on 16 July in Brussels. It is an open conference to all those who want to participate. We hope to make a success out of this event and mobilise additional funding for the needs that are now being assessed in Serbia and also Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I commend the significant progress that has been made in relations to normalising relations with Kosovo. This process of normalization is important. We expect both Belgrade and Pristina to ensure that this progress continues.
Let me say again, as I sad to President Nikolić that we think the role of Serbia is critically important for the enlarged EU. You have a unique role in the western Balkans region, so the fact I came here is precisely a way - also before the end of my mandate - to reiterate on behalf of the European Commission and the EU that we believe this process can be successful so that it can, if this is the wish as it has been stated by Serbian people, bring you to the EU membership. We believe this is going to happen. Some decisions of course are still needed but it can happen if there is political will on both sides as I am sure there is. The fact that you are making progress in this also sends signal to the whole region.
And one personal remark - I became President of the Commission in 2004 just after the big enlargement. So at the beginning of 2004 we were 15 Member States, today we are 28. This shows that despite all the difficulties we are consistent in showing our openness to countries of the Western Balkans and countries of Europe that want to join. I am sure this is also goal of Serbia as it has been sovereignly decided by the Serbian people
Mr. President,
It was a pleasure to meet you again in this new phase of EU-Serbia relations. We look forward to continue our very good cooperation.
Thank you."
President Barroso also met with Prime minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić. Commission President said following the meeting:
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to be back in Serbia, a country which so clearly belongs to our European family. I have just met with Prime Minister Vučić and I look forward to continuing our discussions over lunch with other Government members.
I have congratulated the Prime Minister on his recent appointment and conveyed to him my high expectations regarding the future course of action of his Government.
I´d like to thank you, Prime Minister, for your kind words regarding my commitment to the accession process of Serbia and for the work of the European Commission over the past years.
It is true that we are strong alliance for the strategic goal that is accession of Serbia to the EU.
My visit comes exactly one year after the decision of the European Council to follow the recommendation of the European Commission to open accession negotiations with Serbia.
Today, I want to acknowledge the substantial progress Serbia has made on its path towards EU membership. We have entered a new phase in our partnership.
The Prime Minister and I have been discussing the programme of the Government and I welcome its reform priorities and EU aspirations. I also believe it is positive that accession negotiations have been proceeding smoothly so far. Already 18 Chapters – more than half of all 35 Chapters – entered the so-called "screening" process.
I also welcome the Government's continued attention to improving the rule of law, fight against corruption and organised crime and also commitment fundamental rights, as well as to the reform of the public administration.
One of the key lessons learned from past enlargements of the EU is: the accession process must be transparent and inclusive. After all, EU membership is not an endeavour of a few but the ambition of many, I am sure, of the overwhelming majority of Serbia's people.
The process must therefore involve all key stakeholders, including parliament, independent regulatory bodies, as well as civil society. That is why in discussion with the Prime Minister I welcomed the launch of the National Convention on EU in Serbia on 20 June.
The European Commission is ready to help, and support will continue to be available in the period 2014-2020 through our EU Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). It will have a strong focus on the rule of law together with enhancing economic governance and competitiveness. Support to infrastructure investments in transport, energy and environment sectors will also be included.
While this is a time of hope and success for Serbia, it is also, unfortunately, a time of pain and despair. Serbia has recently been hit by the worst floods in a century. My sympathies are with the citizens who suffered so severely.
Later today, I will be paying a visit to Obrenovac where I will meet with some of the courageous citizens who were so terribly hit by this tragedy. I wish to emphasise that the EU has been and will continue to stand by Serbia's side throughout these difficulties.
22 EU Member States and the European Commission have sent assistance to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in May 2014 in the largest European civil protection intervention in Europe ever. We will now plan together mid-to-long term reconstruction and disaster prevention. A Donor Conference will take place on 16 July in Brussels. This shows the strong solidarity of the EU with Serbia.
Let me conclude that in the EU we consider Serbia as a reliable partner and a pillar for the stability and development of South Eastern Europe.
I would like to commend the impressive results in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Both parties have shown political foresight, courage and vision in reaching a number of agreements and also results on implementation.
This is one of the priority issues for the EU. We expect the two sides to continue delivering results in the implementation. The high level meetings will hopefully resume soon as there is still much work to be done.
Prime Minister,
You have just asked me and the European Commission to be objective in the assessment of the progress in Serbia. I want to reaffirm that we will be objective and supportive on the path that you and Serbia decided for yourselves.
You have recently said that "the European path is the only possible one for Serbia" and that your "goal is the European Union". I couldn't agree more! The European Union remains deeply committed to work with you and your team to this end, to support your country in what was your decision.
I thank you for your attention."