Giaufret: EU Is Committed to Serbia’s Accession, Reforms Remain Crucial

Emanuele Giaufret (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

EU Ambassador to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret on May 27 said that the EU was committed to Serbia’s accession, adding that “EU enlargement is back among the priorities on the EU agenda,” because it was a geostrategic interest and a component of economic security of the EU, stressing that reforms remained crucial for Serbia’s progress on that path. 

Speaking at the Council of European Business Associations and Chambers (CEBAC) summit, Giaufret said that “the EU is a committed partner of Serbia, while CEBAC is now our most important cooperation platform, representing the driving engine of the Serbia-EU relations.” He added that “Serbia offers know-how and a strategic position for investments and innovation.” 

Minister Jagoda Lazarevic said that “the economies of the Western Balkan countries are inextricably linked with the EU.” “Their economies are fully integrated with that of the EU, and reforms have already been undertaken for the sake of the region's accession to the EU,” the minister said.  

CEBAC Secretary General Sanja Ivanic said the organization’s goal was to deepen the ties between the European business community and Serbia, adding it was preparing formation of a working group with the Serbian Government. “We are speaking on behalf of over 2,000 Serbian and EU companies and our goal is to create a foundation for further cooperation,” Ivanic said.