PM and German MP "discuss opposition to opening of chapters"

PM and German MP "discuss opposition to opening of chapters"

Vucic said it was "very important for Serbia to open negotiating chapters 23 and 24 on the rule of law, reform the judiciary and fundamental rights" and that "Serbia is working hard on the opening of these chapters."

Vucic told a joint press conference there is a lot of work for Serbia in the fight against corruption, as well as in terms of improving the efficiency of the judiciary and protection of human rights, the government's website reported.

He said that Serbia will not beg anyone for the dates for the opening of the chapters, but however added that it would be good for our country to have the chapters opened as soon as possible.

The prime minister said that he and Krichbaum discussed "the opposition of some EU member states when it comes to the opening of the chapters, and stressed that bilateral relations should be solved bilaterally."

Krichbaum warned that bilateral disputes have no place in the European processes, and that, when it comes to Serbia, the topic is the opening, not the closing of the chapters.

He said he is optimistic about the opening of the next two chapters – 23 and 24, and reiterated that Germany supports the European Commission in its intention to open those chapters with Serbia.

The EU will make a decision on whether the conditions for the opening of the chapters are met or not, he said.

The Commission gave its recommendation, Germany accepts the decision, Krichbaum said.

Following today's terrorist attacks in Brussels, Vucic said that he is confident that Europe and the world will succeed in finding the best possible answer to terrorist attacks.

Vucic and Krichbaum said that they were shocked after hearing the news of the tragic events in Brussels and offered condolences to the families of the victims and the Belgian Prime Minister.

Vucic said that it was vital to preserve peace and sanity after such attacks and added that we must not panic and create havoc in our societies and change the way people live, as that is precisely what the terrorists want to achieve.

"Progress"

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic informed today Chairman of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union in the German Bundestag Gunther Krichbaum about the situation regarding the opening of chapters 23 and 24 and pointed out the importance of continuous progress in the negotiation process on Serbia’s membership in the EU.

Dacic noted that bilateral relations of the two countries are good, and underlined Serbia’s readiness to develop and promote overall cooperation with Germany, the government said on its website.

Krichbaum, who is also member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), underlined that Germany supports European integration of Serbia and confirmed that it will continue to provide help and support to our country in the negotiation process.

Dacic and Krichbaum condemned in the harshest terms today’s terrorist attack in Brussels.