Merkel, NGOs discuss judiciary, rule of law, region

Merkel, NGOs discuss judiciary, rule of law, region

Representatives of the civil society said during the meeting that the EU should open the first chapters in accession negotiations with Serbia as soon as possible, as that would mark the beginning of institutional reforms, building up democratic and independent bodies, Director of the Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM) Milan Antonijevic told Tanjug.

We have talked about the rule of law, prosecution and independence of other bodies, independent institutions and their position, environment, agriculture and other fields in which the European Union can assist Serbia, Antonijevic said.

The meeting also dealt with regional issues, such as Aleksandar Vucic's forthcoming visit to Srebrenica. We agreed this is a positive message that can have good effects on the region, he said.

Secretary General of the European Movement in Serbia Maja Bobic, Executive Director of Civic Initiatives Maja Stojanovic, President of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia Sonja Biserko, Director of the Center for Euro-Atlantic Studies Jelena Milic and President of the ISAC Fund Advisory Board Milan Pajevic also attended the working breakfast with Angela Merkel.