The Quint Ambassadors: Rule of Law, Freedom of Assembly and Media Are Essential for Serbia’s EU Path

The Quint Ambassadors, Aleksandar Vucic (BETAPHOTO/SERBIAN GOVERMENT/SLOBODAN MILJEVIC)

The rule of law, particularly the right to assemble and freedom of media were crucial for Serbia’s EU path, the Quint ambassadors and the EU Delegation head to Serbia said in a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, according to a release from the Presidency.

In the evening on July 20, the ambassadors of the Quint countries (Italy, Germany, France, the U.S., and the U.K.) and EU Delegation to Serbia Head Sem Fabrizi welcomed Vucic’s intention to form a new, inclusive cabinet with a clear mandate in relation to Serbia’s aspiration to join the EU, it is said in the statement.

The ambassadors, according to the release, offered their strong backing to the resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, expressing the optimism that it would produce clear results for the citizens in the region.

Also, they voiced concern with a growing number of Covid-19 cases in the country, saying they were ready to continue assisting Serbia, the release said.

Commenting on the meeting held in Brussels last week, Vucic said that under EU’s mediation, important issues, such as the missing and internally displaced persons, and economic cooperation, had been raised.

Vucic underlined the importance of forming a cabinet with a clear pro-EU orientation, which would particularly focus on strengthening the rule of law in the coming period.