FM: Austria ready to help Serbia's EU bid

FM: Austria ready to help Serbia's EU bid

Thanking for being given the opportunity to visit Serbia today, Kurz told a press conference that Austria increased its budget for regional projects to EUR four million from the previous EUR 1.9 million, adding that it will help Western Balkan's development.

He said that Austria and Serbia share cultural and economic ties, adding and there is a population of about 300,000 Serbs in Austria, and Austria is the biggest investor in Serbia.

"I am not a prophet to be able to tell the exact date when Serbia will join the EU, but I can certainly state that Serbia's people and political leaders are ready to begin reforms and prepare Serbia for the EU," Kurz said, adding that the pace of reforms will directly reflect on development, something that is vital for both attracting investors and Serbia's journey to becoming part of the EU.

"Personally," Kurz said, "I would like to see Serbia in the EU as soon as possible, perhaps even in 2018 or 2020."

He added it was "an honor for him to talk to a person that he respects for his efforts in the fight to eradicate corruption and establish the rule of law, as these goals are worth pursuing and something Austrian investors expect to see happen."

"We will back this kind of effort wherever we can," the Austrian foreign minister said, adding that he was happy to be able to take part in an intergovernmental conference in Brussels and particularly pleased about other ministers deciding to attend it and wishing Serbia to become an EU member.

Wishing Serbia all the best on the road of reforms, Kurz reiterated Austria's support for the country, not only in words but also in action.

Aleksandar Vučić said on Wednesday that Serbia's goal is to achieve the Austrian model of state governance, but noted that for that to happen, the country has to work hard for years and decades and change many things.

After talks with Kurz, Vučić said that Serbia would be a stable country, open to investments, and voiced expectation that the country would get Austria' backing.

Underscoring that Austria is one of Serbia's most significant partners, not only concerning the EU path, but also one of the biggest investor, Vučić said that Serbia wants Austria as a sincere friend that could point to mistakes and facilitate a more efficient development of Serbia, and help the country get closer to the Austrian and German models.

Vučić said that he had asked the foreign minister for Austria's greater assistance and support in the EU integration process, in terms of knowledge and investment attraction, especially after improving the business environment in the country.

"We will complete our job by the end of 2018 or the beginning of 2019 in terms of reforms relating to Kosovo-Metohija and the rule of law, regardless of what the EU would decide," Vučić said.

Vučić also said that it was "a pleasure to welcome one of the most talented young ministers in Europe."

"Serbia ready"

Serbia is on the right track and it is following the path of reforms which will turn it into a modern country, and it is ready to become a full EU member today already, perhaps even readier than some countries which have accessed the EU, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić said upon meeting with Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz.

Nikolić underscored that Austria is an important and reliable partner for Serbia due to its substantial investments in the Serbian economy and the numerous Serb community living in Austria. Nikolić said that the support which Austria is giving to Serbia's EU path is very precious, the release issued by the Serbian president' cabinet states.

To mark the celebration of the 100th anniversary of World War I, Nikolić and Kurz agreed that it would be good to show that the two countries are not separated by their past and are instead cooperating to create a better future in a united Europe.

Kurz said that Serbia and Austria share close ties in many areas and that this is the reason why Austria is willing to do all it can to back Serbia in the EU integration process. Kurz said that he would be very glad if Nikolić decided to visit Austria soon, states the release.