Ministers: Serbia is not changing EU course

BELGRADE There is no change of Serbia's "EU course", the office of the Deputy PM in charge of EU integrations Suzana Grubjesic told Tanjug news agency on Monday “The EU integration process is one of the key priorities of this government, and the first point of the coalition agreement between the parties which constitute this government. A change of the course is out of question since this government got support of the parliament for this type of program,” Grubjesic's cabinet said. Ministers: Serbia is not changing EU course The reaction came amid an ongoing debate about the country "moving away from the European integrations", the news agency reported. “There is another way, but it would be not only illegitimate, but also not in line with the national interests,” it was said. At the same time, it was noted that no political party or block have so much support of the Serbian public like the EU integration, as showed by the polls. “The EU integration pathway is neither easy nor simple, but it can lead our country towards a regulated state, better economy, and higher living standard of the citizens,” Grubjesic's office said. First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic addressed the same subject today, to say that the government aimed to get a date for the start of EU accession talks as soon as possible while at the same time preserving the national integrity and sovereignty. "I do not think anyone is planning to lead Serbia in the direction opposite of the EU, and neither is that realistic," he told reporters. When asked if he believed the EU was making Serbia's road to accession more difficult, he responded it was necessary to keep in mind the situation in Europe, like the coming election in Germany. "If we get into the topic of whether they are making it (the accession) difficult for us or not, I am afraid we will always find enough cause for anger," Vucic noted. Serbia cannot influence Germany's views, he stated, adding he was happy the requirement from two months ago (good relations with Kosovo) was no longer mentioned. "It tells us it is possible to do something for our country through talks," Vucic remarked, stressing that he expected EU support. Serbia has to complete its obligations, and that does not refer to Kosovo alone, but also to the battle against corruption and crime and reform of the judiciary and other areas, he explained. Tanjug

Ministers: Serbia is not changing EU course

The reaction came amid an ongoing debate about the country "moving away from the European integrations", the news agency reported.

“There is another way, but it would be not only illegitimate, but also not in line with the national interests,” it was said.

At the same time, it was noted that no political party or block have so much support of the Serbian public like the EU integration, as showed by the polls.

“The EU integration pathway is neither easy nor simple, but it can lead our country towards a regulated state, better economy, and higher living standard of the citizens,” Grubješić's office said.

First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić addressed the same subject today, to say that the government aimed to get a date for the start of EU accession talks as soon as possible while at the same time preserving the national integrity and sovereignty.

"I do not think anyone is planning to lead Serbia in the direction opposite of the EU, and neither is that realistic," he told reporters.

When asked if he believed the EU was making Serbia's road to accession more difficult, he responded it was necessary to keep in mind the situation in Europe, like the coming election in Germany.

"If we get into the topic of whether they are making it (the accession) difficult for us or not, I am afraid we will always find enough cause for anger," Vučić noted.

Serbia cannot influence Germany's views, he stated, adding he was happy the requirement from two months ago (good relations with Kosovo) was no longer mentioned.

"It tells us it is possible to do something for our country through talks," Vučić remarked, stressing that he expected EU support.

Serbia has to complete its obligations, and that does not refer to Kosovo alone, but also to the battle against corruption and crime and reform of the judiciary and other areas, he explained.