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BELGRADE – The head of the EU Delegation Andreas Fon Bekerat stated today that the EU member states did not agree on opening Cluster 3 in the negotiations with Serbia, but that they will return to this issue next year, and pointed out that there is a strong desire for Serbia to be within the European Union, adding that reforms as well as dialogue are needed for progress. “I think we have shown that with the enormous support we have provided to Serbia. From 2014 to 2027, we have allocated seven billion euros. I think that clearly shows how much we want to have Serbia within the European Union. But for that to happen, credible and tangible reforms are needed,” Fon Bekerat said in a statement to journalists at the European House before the start of the panel “From Denmark to Cyprus: How to make the EU ready for enlargement.”
He emphasized that in recent weeks it has been seen how committed the EU is to the enlargement process in the example of Montenegro and Albania, and expressed regret that Serbia’s seat was empty at the summit in Brussels. “This was a very good opportunity to talk with other member states, with other leaders of the Western Balkans. And I think that, in order to make progress on the path of enlargement, that dialogue is needed,” said Fon Bekerat. He said that they are hoping for concrete reforms in the area of the rule of law, the fight against corruption, the protection of the independence of the judiciary, electoral reforms, as well as media freedom, and added that the EU delegation is ready to support Serbia in all these areas as well as in issues related to civil society. He stated that within the framework for negotiations between the EU and Serbia, in addition to the area of the rule of law, the normalization of relations with Pristina is also mentioned. He also congratulated Denmark on its presidency of the EU so far. The Ambassador of Denmark to Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia Pernile Kadel said that during its presidency of the EU, that country strongly advocated enlargement and that it will continue to support Serbia on its European path.
She stated that it is precisely in the Western Balkans that there are concrete steps forward, primarily in Montenegro and Albania, and that they had hoped to achieve more with Serbia during their presidency. “I believe there is no doubt where Serbia belongs. Serbia belongs in the EU, it is a European country located in the heart of Europe. And it is obvious that Serbia needs to do more work in order to continue and accelerate reforms, to seize the opportunity because enlargement is underway,” said Kadel. Speaking about Denmark’s presidency, she stated that it was the eighth in a row and the most difficult due to the geopolitical situation, which is dynamic, primarily because of the war in Ukraine. She said that the theme of the Danish presidency was a stronger Europe and that they were very focused on enlargement. “We were very focused on enlargement from the perspective of saying that we must launch the process when it comes to Ukraine, because Europe’s security is very focused and to a large extent depends on what will happen in Ukraine,” said the ambassador. The Ambassador of Cyprus to Serbia Andreas Fotiu said that his country will assume the presidency for the second time as of January 1 and that one of its priorities will be enlargement. “We have always been firm supporters of the enlargement of the European Union. And of course, Serbia has its place in that policy, and Cyprus, as an honest mediator and friend of Serbia, will work hard, based on Serbia’s performance, to advance the accession process as much as possible in the next six months,” said Fotiu. He added that the latest report of the European Commission identifies the progress or shortcomings that have been recorded in the past year. “Serbia has made progress, but of course there are challenges that remain in the areas identified by the European Commission, including the rule of law, etc. We will work together to register as much progress as possible and create the conditions for all member states, because this is an intergovernmental process, to be convinced that it is time to move forward with the accession negotiations of Serbia,” said the Cypriot ambassador. (December 19)