Brussels, 07/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 6 May, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn called on Serbia to make endeavours towards normalising its relations with Kosovo so as to be able to open the first negotiation chapters. Officially a candidate since March 2012, Serbia opened its EU accession negotiations on 21 January 2014 (see EUROPE 11001).
“There are things to be done - particularly things linked to Chapter 35. I do not think that all the points have been achieved but things must be done to give a sort of reassurance that there is not only an ongoing dialogue but consequences of this dialogue”, Hahn said at the Regional Cooperation Day in Brussels. According to one European source, this is particularly about agreements on energy and telecommunications. Hahn said that it was important for Serbia to show strong determination to implement the agreements. “Once sufficient progress has been made, we will be able to move on with Chapter 35 and I hope that this can happen in the near future”, he added. In Hahn's view, the resumption of the high level dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina since January (after a break of several months due to elections in Serbia and Kosovo) is “crucial”.
The rule of law is also an aspect that Hahn highlighted. In line with its new rule, the European Commission now opens Chapters 23 (judicial apparatus and fundamental rights) and 24 (freedom, security and justice) as the first accession negotiation chapters with a candidate country.
Hahn said that he was touring the European capitals to persuade them that the negotiation is “the best way to transform” Serbia.
Serbia's Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on 21 April that his country deserved to open its first EU accession negotiation chapters in June (see EUROPE 11300). Some member states want Chapter 35, linked to the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, to be opened at the same time as Chapters 23 and 24 (see EUROPE 11221).
On Thursday 7 May, Hahn met Serbia's President Tomislav Nikolic and Vucic. He addressed the issue of Chapters 23 and 24 with the minister for European integration - Jadranka Joksimovic, the minister for justice - Nikola Selakovic, and the minister for the interior - Nebojsa Stefanovic, the Commission stated in a press release. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)