The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said on Monday 26 April that Serbia’s EU accession negotiations should be more dynamic.
Of the 35 chapters of EU accession negotiations, Serbia has opened 18, of which two have been provisionally closed. However, the country has not opened any new chapters in 2020.
“On the negotiations, we need to be more dynamic, but this will only be possible if there is more progress in reforms and implementation”, he explained at a press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Brussels. Mr Borrell added that the EU expected Serbia to make progress on its reform agenda, “in particular on the Rule of law and media freedom”.
The High Representative also called on Serbia to bring its foreign policy more in line with that of the EU, including on restrictive measures. Mr Vučić expressed his goodwill and announced that his country was committed to increasing the level of alignment.
Mr Borrell and Mr Vučić also discussed the dialogue with Kosovo. “The process must continue despite all the difficulties”, Mr Borrell said, praising the Serbian president’s commitment to the dialogue. Mr Vučić promised that the Serbian side would engage further in dialogue with a more dedicated approach, “as substantive as possible”. He pledged to come to Brussels “in good faith”, hoping that the Kosovar side would do the same, not only to continue the work, but also to achieve some substantive solutions in a period of time that comes.
The High Representative also announced the EU’s readiness to support the planned railway corridor between Belgrade and North Macedonia. “We will provide the best possible conditions for a major investment like this”, he promised. Mr Vučić called the project a “game changer” that will create many opportunities.
Asked about a possible redrawing of borders in the Western Balkans region, Mr Borrell recalled the EU’s unequivocal support for the territorial integrity of the Western Balkan countries. He added that one of the most important purposes of his mandate was to bring all these countries into the EU. He also hoped that the EU Member States would clarify the European perspective of these countries.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council on 10 May is expected to discuss the Western Balkans and the General Affairs Council on 22 June is expected to focus on EU enlargement. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)