Serbian and Croatian ministers meet informally

Serbian and Croatian ministers meet informally

Serbia is not shying away from talks and is being very constructive, and our position here is clear as we have met all the criteria set out, and it now rests with the European Commission to make the next move, Joksimovic, who had a meeting with Kovac before the start of the First Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) in Dubrovnik, told Tanjug.

Asked if Kovac had told her something to assume from it that Croatia would continue to rigidly adhere to its position, Joksimovic said that the meeting had been informal and brief, reiterating that the Netherlands, who chairs the Union right now, and the remaining 26 EU member-states, had stated that Serbia was ready to open Chapter 23 and 24 and that Croatia remained isolated in its position.

Joksimovic also said on Thursday that Serbia was interested in concrete results and would make use of all available funds within the framework of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative for projects important to our country and the region.

We are very active and we want to be oriented to concrete results and projects. We want to use all the money available, whatever the amount, for specific projects that are good for both Serbia and the entire region, Joksimovic told Tanjug during a break in the gathering in Croatia's seaside resort of Dubrovnik.

Joksimovic said that the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative was a very important EU strategy for the Western Balkans, and it opened up additional space for Serbia to cooperate with the countries in the region and was there to help ensure better connections in the region through transport and other networks.

Representatives of eight countries, participants in EUSAIR - Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro - should agree on priorities in joint activities within the framework of the four thematic pillars of the strategy - "blue" growth, connecting the region (transport and energy networks), environmental quality and sustainable tourism.

The Forum had started with a meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative, at which they adopted a Dubrovnik Declaration.