Giaufret: Rule of Law Reforms Key to Serbia’s Progress on EU Path

Belgrade panorama (BETAPHOTO/PETAR VUJANIC)

Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret said on Oct. 16  that reforms in the area of rule of law, that were key to Serbia's progress in the EU integration process, were at the top of the list of priorities of the European Union and EU members which were carefully monitoring developments in Serbia.

Giaufret met with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and the Serbian minister in charge of the country's accession to the EU, Jadranka Joksimovic, to discuss important issues in the accession process, the Government of Serbia said.

"Serbia has been continuously engaged in transparent and inclusive reform processes and timely implementation in key areas like the fight against corruption and organized crime, an independent judiciary, fundamental rights, war crimes and the media," Giaufret said. He underlined that those were not only EU priorities, but also areas that could have a major positive effect on Serbian society, citizens and economy.

The EU ambassador made clear that the European Commission's annual report on Serbia, expected to be released by the end of the month, would offer clear guidelines and define priorities for Serbia in terms of alignment with EU legislation and practices in all of the negotiating chapters. Giaufret recalled that the Union was already involved in a broad financial aid package to support Serbia in the reform process, adding that the support could be increased considerably next year.