Ursula von der Leyen To Visit Serbia Next Week

Ursula von der Leyen, Skopje, July 14 2022 (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube)

The chief of the EU Delegation in Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, announced on Oct. 20 that the president of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, would visit Serbia on Oct. 28.

"The EC president will visit the region and will come to Serbia on Oct. 28. She wants to demonstrate the EU's determination and dedication to the enlargement process in the Western Balkans and Serbia," EU Delegation's chief said at a gathering in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, adding that "the issue of energy will be high on the agenda of the visit."

Giaufret pointed out that, in the critical moments for Europe, the EU must count on Serbia as a serious partner "who stands with us, our common values, peace and prosperity." In his words, Serbia is expected to progressively harmonize with the EU's foreign and security policy, because that is "part of our negotiation framework."

On the issue of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, he stressed that the "EU continues to be very dedicated to the process and is attempting to accomplish progress in the dialogue," recollecting that the monthly meetings of the chief negotiators were being held regularly. "We listen to the needs of Serbia and the Western Balkans because we are in the same boat and must find common solutions," he stated.