Serbian FM: There Is No Ambiguity, Our Direction Is the EU

Marko Djuric (mfa.gov.rs)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric on Nov. 18 said that Serbia was unequivocally and firmly committed to joining the European Union (EU), including “accepting the common foreign and security policy and active participation in its formulation.” 

He said that harmonization with the EU foreign policy had reached its record high level of almost 70 percent, adding that it would only continue to grow. Serbia wished to become a society similar to other developed Western democracies, which would require reforms, he said, but stressed that Serbia’s national interests and regional relations should be also taken into account, and should be managed with EU mediation.  

“For Serbia, EU membership is a strategic goal, because we see it as an opportunity to change the paradigm of relations in our region, and to create a new, different future. I think, I could not say it more clearly at this moment. Yes, there is no ambiguity, our direction is the EU path,” Djuric told reporters after a meeting with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul.

Germany, according to him, has been contributing to Serbia’s economic and reform potential. “We concluded that our relations are extremely developed and comprehensive, with both sides ready to further develop them,” Djuric noted. The Serbian foreign minister also said that he had informed the German delegation about the position of the Serbs in Kosovo, but also about Belgrade’s readiness to preserve stability in the region. Djuric stressed that Serbia wanted to join the EU as soon as possible.