Rehn: Serbia ready for reforms

Rehn: Serbia ready for reforms

He added that the coming months will be challenging, when approaching the end of the process of determining Kosovo’s status.

“The Stabilization and Association Agreement [SAA] represents an important part of the road to the European Union, and what is even more important, it brings noticeable results and improves economic opportunities and the lives of the citizens,” Rehn said.

Rehn added that the enlargement of the EU has always meant political and economic success and the improvement of living conditions for citizens of the new and old EU.

The EU helped new members make structural reforms, increase technological knowledge, Rehn said, stressing that catching the attention of foreign investors creates the conditions for having an independent and fully functional legal system.

He said that this would also help to combat organized crime and corruption, an important issue for countries of the western Balkans.

Rehn also confirmed the ongoing efforts to allow visa relaxation for citizens of the region.

Regarding Kosovo, Rehn said that the “status of Kosovo must come with a clear European perspective.”

“We need a politically and legally clear framework which will ensure the development of a democratic and multiethnic Kosovo,” Rehn said.

“We are working intensively with Serbia in order to encourage the people of that country to look ahead at their European future and not back at a past of nationalism,” Rehn said.