Djuric: Serbia Deserves to Be One of EU’s First New Members If Admission Is Based on Effectiveness

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric (BETAPHOTO/MINISTARSTVO SPOLJNIH POSLOVA SRBIJE)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, who paid Slovakia a one-day visit, stated in Bratislava on May 30 that “Serbia clearly sees its future in the European Union” and that it wishes to be among the first new members of the EU. He said that the process of accession should be based solely on effectiveness, because, then “there would be no dilemma about Serbia being among the Union's first new members."

“I believe that this issue should be evaluated solely on the basis of effectiveness since, in that case, there would be no dilemma about Serbia being among the first new members. Singling out countries on this path would not contribute either to greater harmony, or citizens’ greater enthusiasm about membership,” Djuric said.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Foreign Minister of Slovakia Juraj Blanar, he said that “for certain political circles” in EU member countries, “it is appealing to ideologize the process of EU accession” and “affect internal political relations in Serbia by imposing political conditions.”

Djuric thanked Slovakia for, in his words, its objective and meritocratic approach to the policy of enlargement, and its consistent support to Serbia on its European path. He also stressed that Slovakia is one of the friendliest countries to Serbia, not only in Europe, but in the world, emphasizing that the two states’ relations are based on similar values, historic connections and the centuries-long presence of the Slovak community in Serbia.