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Lipavský: Czechia supports Serbia’s entry into the EU, the date cannot be predicted

by AI | 15.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Czech Republic supports Serbia in its efforts to make progress in accession negotiations with the European Union. Part of the process is also the continuation of constructive dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

Flag of the European Union. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Prague – Czechia supports Serbia in its efforts to make progress in accession negotiations to the European Union. Part of the process is also the continuation of a constructive dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. After a meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Marko Djuric, in Prague, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky (Pirates) said. Djuric stated that membership in the union is Serbia’s strategic priority. The country wants to continue reforms to meet the conditions by 2027.          

Serbia has had candidate status since March 2012. At the same time, it maintains close cooperation with Russia. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic condemned the Russian invasion and expressed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but refused to join anti-Russian sanctions.

Lipavsky noted that he is not a proponent of setting a specific date when the country could fully join the EU. According to him, it raises false expectations among the public and does not lead politicians to make sufficient efforts. According to the head of diplomacy, accession talks have value in themselves, it is a complex political process. According to Lipavsky, the road to the union may take a long time, the process must be fair, but Serbia is very advanced in many chapters. “It is also necessary to talk about common foreign and security policies, the bypassing of sanctions,” Lipavsky said.

According to Djuric, Serbia is ready to become part of the EU. He expressed gratitude to Czechia for its support to the entire Western Balkan region. He believes that EU expansion will be a priority in the coming period. “I think it will be an additional motivation for each of the Western Balkan states to focus on the quality of institutions, security, and political development,” he added. The EU would also become stronger in the event of Serbia’s admission, according to Djuric.

Both ministers today also appreciated the trade exchange between Czechia and Serbia. “Czechia is among the top 15 trading partners for Serbia and is one of the most significant investors. The volume of trade exceeded two billion euros (approximately 50 billion crowns) in 2023,” noted Lipavsky. He spoke with Djuric about opportunities for cooperation in the development of transport infrastructure, environmental protection, or tourism.