European Union and Serbia

European Union and Serbia

Since Mr. Dacic took the Foreign Minister office he has been very active in coordinating of activities regarding the European integrations of Serbia. Minister Dacic met Italian minister of foreign affairs Ms. Federica Mogherini on July 28. It was an opportunity for Serbia to point out to the Italian EU Presidency that Serbia is ready for opening of negotiating chapters 32 and 35. Serbia has already fulfilled completely or partly screenings for 21 of 35 negotiating chapters. Members of Committee on EU enlargement (COELA) visited Serbia in September and discussed with Serbia’s representatives on progress of Serbia towards its full EU membership. Serbia’s representatives expressed hope that chapters 32 and 35 will be opened till the end of 2014. Also Serbia expects that negotiations for chapters 23 and 24 till will be opened till spring 2015. Minister Dacic underlined that Germany’s position regarding the opening of negotiating chapters with Serbia is crucial. Even though newly formed Jean-Claude Juncker’s Commission (European Commission 2014-2019) decided to partly change approach toward EU’s enlargement, Mr. Dacic expressed hope that EU will continue to implement one of its most successful policies. He also believes that Serbia and Montenegro are the main candidates for the next phase of enlargement. Serbian head of diplomacy also spoke with representative of the European Parliament Mr. Eduard Kukan regarding the future cooperation between Serbia and the EP. At the beginning of October minister led foreign and security policy delegation of Serbia which presented Serbia’s policy regarding the negotiating chapter 31 at the bilateral screening meeting. During his visit to Brussels minister used an opportunity to hold a lecture regarding Serbia’s EU path and about reforms which are taken in Serbia. The lecture was organized in the Brussels based European Policy Centre.