Serbia opens two new EU accession talks chapters

Serbia opens two new EU accession talks chapters

Joksimovic, who headed the delegation of Serbia at the conference, the first during Bulgaria’s presidency of the Council of the EU, said at a news conference that together with the two new chapters, our country has 14 chapters opened, two of which have been temporarily closed, the government said on its website.

She said that the opening of Chapter 33 is very important for Serbia because it will help us strengthen our administrative capacities.

Joksimovic said that the opening of Chapter 13 is also important because Serbia will be able to use EU funds to restore its fish stock and better regulate that area, in which more and more people work.

She underlined that the reforms in the area of rule of law are crucial for Serbia, and reiterated Serbia's commitment to the European integration process.

Joksimovic also promised that Serbia will meet the recommendations of the Venice Commission on constitutional amendments, and added that the work on the drafting of a new media strategy resumed and that the OSCE is helping in that work.

EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn highlighted the need for continuing reforms in the rule of law and freedom of speech, as well as in the normalization of relations with Pristina.

Hahn said that two new chapters were opened on the merits principle, and called on Serbia to harmonize its visa policy with the EU.

He also said that Serbia should harmonize constitutional amendments with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

Hahn noted that there are challenges in the field of freedom of speech, and added that Minister Joksimovic promised that progress will be made in that area.

He expressed the expectation that Serbia will open new chapters during the Austrian presidency of the EU in the second part of the year, but underlined that the reforms must continue.

Bulgaria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva said that the focus of her country's presidency of the Council of the EU has been the strengthening of the European perspective for the Western Balkans and that the culmination of these efforts was the Summit in Sofia.