On the eve of opening the first negotiation chapters
[Prime Minister], Mrs Speaker, Honourable Members, it is a great honour for me to address the Serbian parliament.
The timing is just right because next Monday, the European Union and Serbia will open the first two negotiation chapters, chapters 32 – financial control, and chapter 35 which deals with the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
The intergovernmental conference on December 14th will mark the beginning of the substance of our accession process and make the perspective of Serbia’s joining the EU family not just an idea, but a tangible and reachable objective.
This is the result of our common efforts and strong commitment.
As assessed in the Commission’s report of 10 November, Serbia has reached major achievements on its EU path. Let me stress here the intensive work to finalise the action plans on the rule of law, the key agreements with Kosovo, and the important steps taken to improve regional ties and strengthen relations with neighbouring countries.
The Serbian government has also moved ahead with an ambitious economic and structural reform agenda which, I am confident, will contribute to a more attractive business environment: restoring growth, improving competitiveness and creating new jobs. The first encouraging results can already be seen.
I am also impressed by the very positive and humane manner in which Serbia and Serbian citizens have handled the unprecedented numbers of refugees and migrants arriving in the country under very difficult circumstances. This is widely appreciated by Member States of the European Union. We will support Serbia in facing this challenge just as we did after the floods of last year.
All this has required courage and effort and shows Serbia’s ability and willingness to deliver.
On our side, we have also been working very hard to support and drive Serbia towards its strategic goal of membership of the European Union. I remember the first time I visited Serbia one year ago in my capacity as Commissioner responsible for enlargement negotiations. I stressed the depth of my commitment to Serbia’s EU path and I meant business!
The upcoming inter-governmental conference will show that the EU delivers on its commitments once countries make the necessary progress.
A renewed commitment is needed
We should now build on this momentum. December 14th will mark the beginning of a process, and I am confident that this process will continue, while allowing the sound implementation of necessary reforms.
What is needed now is a renewed commitment to move decisively forward with reforms, in particular in the areas of the judiciary, the fight against corruption, freedom of expression – which is non-negotiable from EU perspective -, public administration, anti-discrimination and the economy.
Equally important is further progress in normalisation of relations with Kosovo, which is key to moving forward through accession negotiations.
Serbia needs these reforms not because of the European Union, but because they have the potential to modernise Serbia, bringing benefits to its people. The Serbian administration will be more efficient, Serbian citizens will have access to better public services, better education for their children and better healthcare. The economy will grow as a confident business sector thrives in a more stable environment, where the rules are transparent and there is no room for corruption.
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