Fule: Progress in Belgrade-Priština dialogue

European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule qualified as encouraging on Thursday the latest progress made in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. He at the same time underscored that the EU expects the dialogue to yield tangible results soon. Fule: Progress in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue After the meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, Fule pointed out that he recognizes the commitment of Serbia's top officials to European integration. In a written statement issued after the meeting with Dacic, Fule underscored that the EU expects the dialogue to continue actively and yield tangible results by identifying practical solutions which people would benefit from. The EU commissioner called on Serbia's leadership to efficiently implement all agreements reached in the dialogue with Pristina. These steps and actions are needed in order for EU member countries to accept the recommendation of the European Commission in the positive light in December, Fule said. As for the fight against organized crime and corruption, Fule noted that certain progress has been made but he also called on Serbian officials to double their efforts to this end. Serbia needs to continue conducting notable investigations and pass verdicts, especially in of high-profile crime cases, Fule said. Speaking about the abuse of non-visa regime between Serbia and the EU, Fule underscored that Serbia needs to reinforce its efforts in order to reduce the chances for abuse brought about by unfounded asylum applications and to strengthen the measures for social and economic inclusion of vulnerable groups such as the Roma. At the end of the meeting, Fule and Dacic exchanged opinions on the current political situation in Serbia. The EU official underlined EU expectations that the election campaign would be conducted constructively and responsibly, in keeping with Serbia's European aspirations. Ivica Dacic stated after conferring with Stefan Fule in Brussels on Thursday that Serbia can expect favorable news regarding the EU candidacy, because there is mutual belief that Belgrade wants to continue the dialogue with Pristina. "There is mutual belief that Belgrade wants to continue the dialogue with Pristina, and implement the reached agreements," Dacic told the journalists. In any case, Dacic said, there is a positive opinion and will within the European Commission, and among Serbia's friends in the EU who are in favor of its EU accession. According to him, Serbia has a responsibility to continue the EU integration process and implement the agreements in a way which will leave no room for doubting whether it has indirectly recognized the independence of Kosovo-Metohija. Dacic said that Serbia should openly say what can and cannot be done, that is what is not in accordance with the state and national interests, Constitution and laws. He recalled that assessments on Serbia's fight against organized crime and corruption are very good, and that the country is expected to be even more active in that area. Dacic conferred on Thursday with heads of political groups in the European Parliament - Socialists, Social Democrats and United Left, who also expressed a high level of understanding for Serbia's position and support to the country's EU integration. He announced he would today be taking part, as leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia, in the work of the Party of European Socialists. Dacic on Wednesday conferred with EU facilitator in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Robert Cooper, Managing Director for the Western Balkans in the EU's External Action Service Miroslav Lajcak, and MEP and Chairman of the Friends of Serbia group Victor Bostinaru. Fule and Dacic in Brussels on Thursday (Beta)

Fule: Progress in Belgrade-Priština dialogue

After the meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, Fule pointed out that he recognizes the commitment of Serbia's top officials to European integration.

In a written statement issued after the meeting with Dačić, Fule underscored that the EU expects the dialogue to continue actively and yield tangible results by identifying practical solutions which people would benefit from.

The EU commissioner called on Serbia's leadership to efficiently implement all agreements reached in the dialogue with Priština.

These steps and actions are needed in order for EU member countries to accept the recommendation of the European Commission in the positive light in December, Fule said.

As for the fight against organized crime and corruption, Fule noted that certain progress has been made but he also called on Serbian officials to double their efforts to this end.

Serbia needs to continue conducting notable investigations and pass verdicts, especially in of high-profile crime cases, Fule said.

Speaking about the abuse of non-visa regime between Serbia and the EU, Fule underscored that Serbia needs to reinforce its efforts in order to reduce the chances for abuse brought about by unfounded asylum applications and to strengthen the measures for social and economic inclusion of vulnerable groups such as the Roma.

At the end of the meeting, Fule and Dačić exchanged opinions on the current political situation in Serbia.

The EU official underlined EU expectations that the election campaign would be conducted constructively and responsibly, in keeping with Serbia's European aspirations.

Ivica Dačić stated after conferring with Stefan Fule in Brussels on Thursday that Serbia can expect favorable news regarding the EU candidacy, because there is mutual belief that Belgrade wants to continue the dialogue with Priština.

"There is mutual belief that Belgrade wants to continue the dialogue with Priština, and implement the reached agreements," Dačić told the journalists.

In any case, Dačić said, there is a positive opinion and will within the European Commission, and among Serbia's friends in the EU who are in favor of its EU accession.

According to him, Serbia has a responsibility to continue the EU integration process and implement the agreements in a way which will leave no room for doubting whether it has indirectly recognized the independence of Kosovo-Metohija.

Dačić said that Serbia should openly say what can and cannot be done, that is what is not in accordance with the state and national interests, Constitution and laws.

He recalled that assessments on Serbia's fight against organized crime and corruption are very good, and that the country is expected to be even more active in that area.

Dačić conferred on Thursday with heads of political groups in the European Parliament - Socialists, Social Democrats and United Left, who also expressed a high level of understanding for Serbia's position and support to the country's EU integration.

He announced he would today be taking part, as leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia, in the work of the Party of European Socialists.

Dačić on Wednesday conferred with EU facilitator in the Belgrade-Priština dialogue Robert Cooper, Managing Director for the Western Balkans in the EU's External Action Service Miroslav Lajčak, and MEP and Chairman of the Friends of Serbia group Victor Bostinaru.