Tadić visits Portugal, set to receive CoE prize

Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva says Serbia is "part of the European family", and that he hopes its EU accession talks will begin as soon as possible. "We believe Serbia is a part of the European family and that its future EU membership will strengthen not only the stability in the Balkans, but also the EU project itself." Tadic visits Portugal, set to receive CoE prize "Serbia can count on Portugal's support in the process of talks with the EU, so that it could soon become an EU member," Silva stated after the official meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic in Lisbon. At a joint news conference, Tadic expressed hope that, despite numerous challenges, the EU's enlargement process will not be blocked. When asked when Serbia might obtain the date for the start of accession talks, Silva recalled that this decision needs to be made by the 27 member states, noting, however, that he expects negotiations will begin soon. The Copenhagen Criteria need to be fulfilled. Talks are difficult, as everyone knows. For example, Portugal's negoatiations took seven years. I hope that in Serbia's case the process will be shorter, Silva stressed. However, he pointed out that further progress towards the EU also depends on the Serbian people themselves. Stressing that Serbia obtained the candidate status despite all challenges and difficulties, Tadic said that this step, as well as all following ones, is important for the stabilization of the South East European region and Europe as a whole. I sincerely believe that reforms and political processes ahead of us will secure permanent peace and stability in South East Europe, a region which has a tradition of instability, Tadic said. The Serbian president also said that the process of EU enlargement, despite the economic crisis and other difficulties, must not be blocked. Portugal has always backed Serbia on its path towards the EU, Tadic said, expressing his gratitude. According to the two presidents, Serbia and Portugal have excellent political and diplomatic relations, which should be used for fostering cooperation in other areas, primarily economic. Portuguese companies want to strengthen ties with the Western Balkans, and Serbia has a strategic significance in that respect, Silva said. We want a strong partnership with Serbia because we believe we can achieve a lot together in the fields of infrastructure, energy, telecommunications and others, he said. Tadic said that Serbia and Serbian companies can be reliable partners to Portugal and also stressed the importance of greater economic cooperation and cooperation in the field of new technologies. Every day we are facing new challenges and crises, but we must be brave and optimistic, Tadic said. Referring to the Council of Europe North-South Prize 2011 to be presented to Tadic on Tuesday, Silva recalled the contribution of the president of Serbia to the stabilization of the situation in the Balkans, and to encouraging dialogue among the states of the region. Silva said he was very pleased that Tadic is the laureate to whom he will present the award at tomorrow's ceremony. Boris Tadic and Anibal Cavaco Silva are seen in Lisbon (Beta) Tanjug

Tadić visits Portugal, set to receive CoE prize

"Serbia can count on Portugal's support in the process of talks with the EU, so that it could soon become an EU member," Silva stated after the official meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadić in Lisbon.

At a joint news conference, Tadić expressed hope that, despite numerous challenges, the EU's enlargement process will not be blocked.

When asked when Serbia might obtain the date for the start of accession talks, Silva recalled that this decision needs to be made by the 27 member states, noting, however, that he expects negotiations will begin soon.

The Copenhagen Criteria need to be fulfilled. Talks are difficult, as everyone knows. For example, Portugal's negoatiations took seven years. I hope that in Serbia's case the process will be shorter, Silva stressed.

However, he pointed out that further progress towards the EU also depends on the Serbian people themselves.

Stressing that Serbia obtained the candidate status despite all challenges and difficulties, Tadić said that this step, as well as all following ones, is important for the stabilization of the South East European region and Europe as a whole.

I sincerely believe that reforms and political processes ahead of us will secure permanent peace and stability in South East Europe, a region which has a tradition of instability, Tadić said.

The Serbian president also said that the process of EU enlargement, despite the economic crisis and other difficulties, must not be blocked.

Portugal has always backed Serbia on its path towards the EU, Tadić said, expressing his gratitude.

According to the two presidents, Serbia and Portugal have excellent political and diplomatic relations, which should be used for fostering cooperation in other areas, primarily economic.

Portuguese companies want to strengthen ties with the Western Balkans, and Serbia has a strategic significance in that respect, Silva said.

We want a strong partnership with Serbia because we believe we can achieve a lot together in the fields of infrastructure, energy, telecommunications and others, he said.

Tadić said that Serbia and Serbian companies can be reliable partners to Portugal and also stressed the importance of greater economic cooperation and cooperation in the field of new technologies.

Every day we are facing new challenges and crises, but we must be brave and optimistic, Tadić said.

Referring to the Council of Europe North-South Prize 2011 to be presented to Tadić on Tuesday, Silva recalled the contribution of the president of Serbia to the stabilization of the situation in the Balkans, and to encouraging dialogue among the states of the region.

Silva said he was very pleased that Tadić is the laureate to whom he will present the award at tomorrow's ceremony.