Serbian, Austrian FMs discuss strengthening of ties

Serbian, Austrian FMs discuss strengthening of ties

Mrkić and Kurz discussed Serbia's European integration, cooperation within the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, Belgrade-Priština dialogue and the situation in the Western Balkan region.

Austria will continue supporting Serbia in the EU accession talks and it is willing to offer advisory, technical, educative and other modes of assistance, especially concerning twinning projects, Kurz said.

Mrkić expressed gratitude over the increase of the Austrian contingent in Kosovo and Metohija and noted that Serbia is interested in developing economic ties and increase of Austrian investments in Serbia.

On Wednesday, Kurz also conferred with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić and Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and he also participated in the conference entitled "Business bridge Serbia-Austria-Europe" organized in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce to mark the constitution of the Serbian Economic Senate.

From Belgrade, Kurz will travel to Priština where he will confer with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and Foreign Minister Enver Hodzaj on Thursday.

"Serbia dictates pace"

Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz stated on Wednesday that Austria is interested in reforms in Serbia so that the country could become a member of the EU as soon as possible.

After the talks with officials in Belgrade, Kurz told Tanjug that Serbia's EU accession will depend on the pace of the reforms.

The better the fight against corruption and the faster the progress of rule of law, granted favorable economic progress as well, the easier it would be to close negotiating chapters one by one, which would help Serbia become a member of the EU sooner, Kurz said.

He noted that during the talks with several Serbian officials and with Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić in particular, he received assurances that Serbia wishes a clear reform course and concluded that he believes this to be the right path.

He expressed the hope that the Belgrade-Pristina relations would further improve and underscored that a different scenario would not be useful for the region.

One hundred years after the beginning of World War I and 75 years since the beginning of World War II, it can only be in the best interest of all of us to live in peace and partnership in the EU together, Kurz said.