Brussels, 30/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 27 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said in Belgrade that she would like to open the first accession negotiations chapters for Serbia by the end of 2015. During a press conference she stated: “Opening chapters this year is a priority for the EU”. She added that she was unable to say what chapters these would be and when this could take place but said that “this will depend on our mutual work. There is work to be done here (in Serbia) and in Brussels”. Serbia would like the first chapter to be on financial control. Some member states, however, want it to be Chapter 23 (legal apparatus and fundamental rights), 24 (freedom, security and justice) and 35 (relations with Kosovo). Mogherini emphasised that she saw a “European future” for Serbia.
Although Serbia is often criticised for not having aligned its foreign policy with that of the EU, particularly with regard to sanctions against Russia, Mogherini welcomed Serbia's contribution to the EU missions. Serbia is the seventh country in terms of commitments and the first in the Balkans. Serbia is currently chairing the OSCE, which has an important role in the implementation of the Minsk agreements in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)