EU commissioner: What I heard was promising

EU commissioner: What I heard was promising

Asked whether there are any obstacles to open negotiations in EU membership negotiations chapters in the coming weeks, Hahn replied "we are on the right path, we talked about it with our colleagues and friends from the Serbian government."

"I believe we will make progress, but it all depends on the roadmap that must be presented and depending on that, the next steps will follow," said Hahn.

The new EU commissioner was in Serbia on Thursday, which he chose for his first trip, where he met with Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and President Tomislav Nikolić. He told the broadcaster that "what he heard sounded really promising, and it is now up to experts to check everything closely."

Asked about Chapter 35, which is associated with progress in the dialogue with Priština, and whether he was "sympathetic to the fact that Belgrade does not have anyone to negotiate with," Hahn said that the situation is clear, that Kosovo currently does not have a government, adding, "we hope there will be one soon."

"But there is an agreement on what needs to be done and there are many points that you can do yourselves," said Hahn.

"Your government knows what needs to be done and can be done and I can only urge that it is done, and depending on the level of implementation, we will continue the process", he said.

The EU official stressed that "Serbia must progressively align its foreign policy with that of the EU and it is up to Serbia how it will make progress, at what speed, a candidate country decides for itself."

Asked whether Brussels is sensitive to the position of Belgrade, "which is committed to the European path but has economic ties with Russia" Hahn replied: "We understand everything but also that economic relations with the EU are also very strong - two-thirds of all foreign investment in Serbia come from EU countries."

"Two-thirds of imports and exports go to EU countries, those are also strong ties. But, once again, Serbia is a sovereign country that decides on the speed itself. We negotiate, and there are always some conditions, if they are met, we are happy," said he.

Asked about his recent statement that economic issues will be placed in the forefront when it comes to countries aspiring to join the EU and that the organization should provide investments rather than donations, Hahn said he would "like to change the philosophy of where the money comes from" - namely, from "we spend money" to "we invest money."

"We are investing in people, regions, countries and the goal is to get something back. I do not mean in financial terms but to increase prosperity, improve the conditions of life, that people have better perspective, to improve the lives of Serbian citizens by investing," said Hahn.

"If together we can attract foreign investors to come to Serbia, buy existing factories or open new ones, to create jobs, it is the most viable approach, that is why I advocate in favor of it," said Hahn.

Speaking about the future of regional projects which were presented a few months ago in Berlin, such as the highway Niš-Priština, the EU official that this approach was important and that he was grateful for the initiative to Berlin and Vienna, where the next conference will take place.

"Connections must be strengthened, if we connect countries we bring people together and create better living conditions, leading to sustainable peace in the region," said Hahn.

Asked about his statement that he would "gladly attend the Serbia vs. Albania football match next fall" and "whether that is enough time to lower the tensions between Belgrade and Tirana," Hahn replied it would be "more than enough."