EU's Ashton meets with new head of Serbian government

EU's Ashton meets with new head of Serbian government

She did not mention the dialogue with Priština, but said that in meetings with top Serbian officials - the president and the prime minister - several important topics and issues were discussed, especially related to the economy where "difficult reforms will follow, but which would bring better life to citizens."

"The EU will send a message that Serbia is a good place for investment and the EU wants to help Serbia," Ashton said, adding that Serbia's path will be successful and will not last long.

She praised Vučić's commitment to reforms, the fight against corruption and seeking to establish law and order, and said she looked forward to working with Vučić until the end of her mandate, which expires at the end of the year.

Asked whether it was realistic to expect that Serbia could complete its negotiations with the EU by 2018, she replied:

"If I were you I would not doubt the capacity of this man (Vučić) to break all records."

"Being a part of the European family means that you are guaranteed peace and security for your country," Ashton was also quoted as saying.

Vučić said he thought Ashton's trip "only to Serbia and only on the occasion of the forming of the new government" was "a great honor."

"She is most deserving that Serbia is on the EU road and that it accepted the Brussels agreement, because she took into account our requests, and more than many others in the EU wished to hear Serb views and objections and Serb needs," said Vučić.

He noted that the meeting with Ashton today was "not bureaucratic" but that the conversation was "concrete" and that EU's support was asked for economic reforms in Serbia, which, as he reiterated, would be "difficult."

Vučić said he informed Ashton that Serbia will by July to reach an agreement with the IMF and that all was agreed for a deal with the World Bank to receive "support of USD 250 million."

"We are continuing the dialogue with Priština, all will not be easy but I am convinced that we and Albanians will understand the reality and make rational decisions," said Vučić and announced that the dialogue with Hashim Thaci would be conducted by him, and that "separate talks" would also be held where Ivica Dačić "and other people" will participate.

Vučić reiterated that there was "a real chance" for Serbia to become a member of the EU "by 2020" and said he was sorry that Ashton would leave her EU position by the end of this year.

The new Serbian prime minister also announced that Serbia would seek to "immediately open the most difficult chapters 23 and 24 relating to the rule of law and judicial reform" at the beginning of the negotiating process early next year.

Catherine Ashton earlier in the day met with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić, when she said that the EU would not press Serbia "to choose between the EU and Russia."

"We're not asking you to be against your historical, economic and any other partnership with Russia. Be sure that we see Serbia as part of the European family, "Ashton said, according to a statement from the Presidency.

Nikolić said during the meeting Serbia was in favor of reaching agreement "on everything" when it comes to negotiations with the EU, but that recognizing Kosovo as independent was unacceptable.

While in Belgrade, Ashton will also address the Serbian parliament that will convene in a special session.

Her meeting with Vučić today was the first he held with a high-ranking foreign official since his cabinet was voted in in parliament on Sunday.

Vučić to represent Serbia

Aleksandar Vučić said on Sunday that he will "personally be representing Serbia in the talks with Priština," Tanjug reported.

Presenting his government's program to MPs, Vučić said that the agreement on normalizing relations with Priština, reached on April 19 last year, is one of the successes of the previous government.

He said that he will "not be running away from the Kosovo problem or sticking his head in the sand over it in the future."

"After many tirades in which we have been told who, and in what way, is representing the interests of our people, the absolute majority of votes won by the Serb Progressive Party in Kosovo clearly shows what kind of policy this state has adopted," Vučić said.