"Historic day for Serbia and EU"

BRUSSELS After the Intergovernmental Conference, which marked the formal start of Serbia's negotiations to join the EU, a joint news conference was held in Brussels. Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, EU Enlagement Commissioner Stefan Fule, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic addressed reporters. "Historic day for Serbia and EU" After Venizelos, whose country holds the EU presidency and who welcomed the commencement of negotiations between Serbia and the EU, Fule addressed the press conference, saying in Serbian: "Good day, welcome.This is a historic day for Serbia and the EU." He made further remarks in English, adding that Serbia has made a lot of big steps, while today it made a symbolic step in the right direction towards the EU in the years to come. Serbia, Fule added, deserved this step, thanks to the progress that has been made. The key are reforms in many areas, especially the enormous effort that has been made in relation to Kosovo, said the EU official. "However, a lot of hard work awaits, a lot of challenges. First, Belgrade must remain fully committed to normalizing relations with Pristina and respecting what has been agreed," Fule stressed, and added that Serbia must then continue to work according to the points of the negotiation process, while chapters 23 and 24 will be especially important. (Beta/AP) "Important day" The talks with Serbia have been opened, Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, whose country is presiding over the EU, said in Brussels on Tuesday. The EU's negotiating framework for Serbia has been presented, taking into account the previous enlargement processes but also specific characteristics of Serbia, Venizelos told reporters after the conclusion of the first Serbia-EU intergovernmental conference. Serbia has confirmed a strong commitment to European integrations, Venizelos told the joint press conference. This is a testimony to Serbia's commitment to European goals and meeting the required conditions, Venizelos said. This is an important day for the relations with Serbia, an important moment for us, he added. Venizelos said that the first intergovernmental conference represents a turning point in the ties between Serbia and the EU. The goal is for Serbia to fully accept the EU positions, this is a new approach, and it takes experience to negotiate on the judiciary and human rights, Venizelos said. "Confirming Serbia's further progress and involvement in improving relations with Kosovo is another goal," he said, adding that the negotiation process will allow both sides to continue on their European paths without blocking one another in the process. Venizelos thanked all who have participated in the process so far, which includes the work on the negotiating framework, wishing Serbia every success in the processes that lie ahead. "I have full confidence in Serbia's ability to complete the talks quickly and successfully and join the EU as its full-fledged member," he said. "I assure you that Serbia can always count on our strong support," Venizelos added. This is a great day for the region's EU prospects, Venizelos said, concluding that "the Euro-Atlantic prospects of the Western Balkans are the EU's strategic option for 2014." The Greek foreign minister congratulated the people of Serbia, extending best wishes for a common European historical fate. "Our people deserve this" Tuesday's start of Serbia's EU accession talks is the most important event for the country since World War II, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic has said. "Historically, this will further determine our path," Dacic said on Tuesday at a press conference on the start of the Serbia-EU talks. What happened today could not have been expected 18 months ago, when the current Serbian government was formed, Dacic added. "We have surprised you", the prime minister said, adding that the government will not waste time on celebrations, but that it will get down to work as difficult tasks lie ahead. "Our people have deserved this," Dacic concluded. First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday that the flag of Serbia outside the EU building, next to the EU flags, is a big thing and a symbol for the country, but also a sign that Serbia is able to do what all European nations have done. "There are many things that our people will not fully approve, but we are ready to meet all our obligations,” Vucic told a press conference dedicated to the start of Serbia's EU talks in Brussels. "I must point to difficult challenges that lie ahead, but I am convinced that we will complete the talks by 2018, and the EU will then have to assess if Serbia deserves to become a full-fledged member," stressed the first deputy prime minister. A different and better future is ahead of us, Vucic is confident. The first Serbia-EU intergovernmental conference opened on Tuesday in Brussels, which marked the beginning of accession talks at a political level. (Tanjug) "Not linked" Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday that the country's EU accession process is not linked to the status of Kosovo. Answering a Kosovo reporter's question in Brussels whether the formulation referring to a legally binding agreement means that at the end of the accession process Serbia will have to recognize Kosovo as independent, Dacic said that it is not his job to interpret EU documents. "Neither we nor they are completely clear about what that means, considering that the EU member states hold different positions on Kosovo," Dacic added. "The EU accession process is not a matter linked to the status of Kosovo. Our stance with regard to Kosovo's status does not change and was never on the agenda," stressed Dacic. B92 Tanjug

"Historic day for Serbia and EU"

After Venizelos, whose country holds the EU presidency and who welcomed the commencement of negotiations between Serbia and the EU, Fule addressed the press conference, saying in Serbian: "Good day, welcome.This is a historic day for Serbia and the EU."

He made further remarks in English, adding that Serbia has made a lot of big steps, while today it made a symbolic step in the right direction towards the EU in the years to come.

Serbia, Fule added, deserved this step, thanks to the progress that has been made. The key are reforms in many areas, especially the enormous effort that has been made in relation to Kosovo, said the EU official.

"However, a lot of hard work awaits, a lot of challenges. First, Belgrade must remain fully committed to normalizing relations with Priština and respecting what has been agreed," Fule stressed, and added that Serbia must then continue to work according to the points of the negotiation process, while chapters 23 and 24 will be especially important.

"Important day"

The talks with Serbia have been opened, Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, whose country is presiding over the EU, said in Brussels on Tuesday.

The EU's negotiating framework for Serbia has been presented, taking into account the previous enlargement processes but also specific characteristics of Serbia, Venizelos told reporters after the conclusion of the first Serbia-EU intergovernmental conference.

Serbia has confirmed a strong commitment to European integrations, Venizelos told the joint press conference.

This is a testimony to Serbia's commitment to European goals and meeting the required conditions, Venizelos said.

This is an important day for the relations with Serbia, an important moment for us, he added.

Venizelos said that the first intergovernmental conference represents a turning point in the ties between Serbia and the EU.

The goal is for Serbia to fully accept the EU positions, this is a new approach, and it takes experience to negotiate on the judiciary and human rights, Venizelos said.

"Confirming Serbia's further progress and involvement in improving relations with Kosovo is another goal," he said, adding that the negotiation process will allow both sides to continue on their European paths without blocking one another in the process.

Venizelos thanked all who have participated in the process so far, which includes the work on the negotiating framework, wishing Serbia every success in the processes that lie ahead.

"I have full confidence in Serbia's ability to complete the talks quickly and successfully and join the EU as its full-fledged member," he said.

"I assure you that Serbia can always count on our strong support," Venizelos added.

This is a great day for the region's EU prospects, Venizelos said, concluding that "the Euro-Atlantic prospects of the Western Balkans are the EU's strategic option for 2014."

The Greek foreign minister congratulated the people of Serbia, extending best wishes for a common European historical fate.

"Our people deserve this"

Tuesday's start of Serbia's EU accession talks is the most important event for the country since World War II, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić has said.

"Historically, this will further determine our path," Dačić said on Tuesday at a press conference on the start of the Serbia-EU talks.

What happened today could not have been expected 18 months ago, when the current Serbian government was formed, Dačić added.

"We have surprised you", the prime minister said, adding that the government will not waste time on celebrations, but that it will get down to work as difficult tasks lie ahead.

"Our people have deserved this," Dačić concluded.

First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić said on Tuesday that the flag of Serbia outside the EU building, next to the EU flags, is a big thing and a symbol for the country, but also a sign that Serbia is able to do what all European nations have done.

"There are many things that our people will not fully approve, but we are ready to meet all our obligations,” Vučić told a press conference dedicated to the start of Serbia's EU talks in Brussels.

"I must point to difficult challenges that lie ahead, but I am convinced that we will complete the talks by 2018, and the EU will then have to assess if Serbia deserves to become a full-fledged member," stressed the first deputy prime minister.

A different and better future is ahead of us, Vučić is confident.

The first Serbia-EU intergovernmental conference opened on Tuesday in Brussels, which marked the beginning of accession talks at a political level.

"Not linked"

Ivica Dačić said on Tuesday that the country's EU accession process is not linked to the status of Kosovo.

Answering a Kosovo reporter's question in Brussels whether the formulation referring to a legally binding agreement means that at the end of the accession process Serbia will have to recognize Kosovo as independent, Dačić said that it is not his job to interpret EU documents.

"Neither we nor they are completely clear about what that means, considering that the EU member states hold different positions on Kosovo," Dačić added.

"The EU accession process is not a matter linked to the status of Kosovo. Our stance with regard to Kosovo's status does not change and was never on the agenda," stressed Dačić.