Giaufret: We Want Serbia in EU as Soon as Possible, But that Depends on Merit

Emanuele Giaufret (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

EU Ambassador to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret said on May 20 that the EU was clearly heading for enlargement and wanted Serbia "in its family," but that this process had its rules that needed to be respected.

"There is a new awareness of the importance of fully introducing the Western Balkans into the EU family. There is both a decision and political will to expedite this," Giaufret told NIN adding that Serbia had progressed in the European integration process, but that there was still more to do including the normalization of relations with Pristina.

The Western Balkans is going through a specific moment, he said, adding that the region needed to be integrated into the European market to reduce Russian and Chinese influence.

Giaufret also said that, because of the war in Ukraine, it was not the time to strengthen relations with Russia, but that China "is different" because the EU had "a different relationship" with it. "China is a partner on numerous issues like climate change and we have to cooperate with it on that," he said.