Brussels, 17/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Visiting Belgrade on 17-18 July, and Pristina on Thursday, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle was expected to reiterate to Serbia and Kosovo that efforts remain to be made on their respective European paths towards European Union membership.
During his meetings in Belgrade with Serbia's President Tomislav Nikolic, the government and members of parliament, Füle is expected to discuss the putting in place of the structures needed for the accession negotiation process. He is due to underline the European agenda priorities for the Balkans, such as timely support for the reforms, the implementation of all the agreements from the dialogue with Pristina, the continuation of the EU's role in the region, and the promotion of sustainable reconciliation.
Serbia's persistent effort over the last decade must continue, Füle said before he left. “The negotiating process is demanding and takes years”, he recalled. Füle's visit will be followed up by a seminar with European Commission officials to help the Serbian authorities familiarise themselves with the negotiating process.
In Pristina on Thursday 18 July, Füle will reiterate the importance of keeping up the pace of the reforms, especially with regard to the elections, the rule of law and trade issues. He is expected to say the same thing for the agreements concluded with Serbia and their implementation (see EUROPE 10831 and 10842). At the end of June, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Serbia and negotiations for a stabilisation and association agreement with Kosovo (see EUROPE 10877). (CG/transl.fl)