President, EU's Mogherini have "frank conversation"

President, EU's Mogherini have "frank conversation"

Nikolic added that Serbia, though talks with Pristina and the signing of the Brussels agreement, as well by implementing the agreements reached during the negotiations "proved that its absolute foreign policy priority was to join the European Union," said in a statement issued by the president's press service.

"From the EU we expect to work together with us in order to improve the economic situation in Serbia. One of the biggest reasons for citizens's optimism regarding the European integration is the expectation of a better life. This is the segment where maximum efforts should be made," emphasized Nikolic.

He pointed out that, as far as implementing the Brussels agreement, "Pristina blocked that entirely," while "the role of the EU is very important there."

"I will be completely frank," said the president, and added: "I have the impression that we are at a critical stage. We do everything that is expected of us, but (EU membership negotiations) chapters are yet to be opened, although it has been a long time since the completion of the screening. If we are expected to wait another ten years, while Kosovo's independence is being determined little by little, while the economic situation is getting harder and harder, citizens of Serbia will cease to believe in the perspective of joining the European Union."

Harsh rhetoric is counterproductive in Serbia, especially if there is no basis for such a tone, emphasized Nikolic.

"On the other hand, before our eyes, a Greater Albania is being created, Albanian representatives come to Serbia and and provoke without any consequences. Imagine what would happen if we started creating common institutions with the Serb Republic (in Bosnia)? The attempt to create a Greater Albanian state in Europe is unacceptable," the president stressed.

Turning to the issue of aligning Sebia's foreign policy with that of the EU, particularly with regard to imposing sanctions on the Russian Federation, he said that "Serbia's firm position is that this is unacceptable," while Serbia at he same time "supports the territorial integrity of each country, including Ukraine."

"We were bombed (by NATO) because we stood for our country's integrity, and for that reason we understand the desire to preserve territorial integrity", underlined Nikolic.

He also commented on the situation in the media, saying that the government "achieved significant results, but there has been no objective and adequate reporting on that."

"We have not been able to achieve objective and professional reporting by the media, whether in terms of positive or negative articles," said the president, adding that this was, "in addition to non-governmental organizations," one of the main weapons used in a bid "to bring down the state that is trying to bring order and the rule of law."

"It's as if a weak Serbia suits someone so they can carry out everything that the state leadership would never agree to," Nikolic observed during his meeting with Mogherini, and added: "Therefore, it is important that together with our European partners we work to make Serbia a prosperous and progressive country, equally strong as other members of the EU."

Federica Mogherini "thanked President Nikolic for the constructive and sincere attitude" and said she was in Belgrade "as a friend," confirming "a sincere commitment to Serbia achieving full membership in the European Union."

Serbia should use the next five years until full membership to work on the chapters, she said, adding that she would personally advocate the opening of the first chapters "during the coming months," the statement from the president's office said.

Mogherini "assured President Nikolic that there are no new conditions, but that there is the requirement to achieve results in a reasonable normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina."

Expressing her satisfaction with the pace of negotiations with Pristina, Mogherini said she was "aware of all problems that require time to be resolved."

As for the alignment of Serbia's foreign policy and the question of anti-Russian sanctions, "the EU cannot impose anything on Serbia," she said. Time is needed to achieve alignment of Serbia's foreign policy and it should be completed by the time the country becomes a full member, the EU official noted.

"All members can express their views on the issue of foreign policy and harmonization of all positions is a complicated and lengthy process. Only when all views are aligned can a decision be made on a common foreign policy. Serbia has made a significant contribution to the common policy through its presidency of the OSCE," said Mogherini.

The statement added that she and Nikolic agreed that "conditions for economic recovery of Serbia should be created through joint efforts."

Mogherini also "pointed out that it is important to find ways to ensure that citizens of Serbia live better."

Mogherini commented on Albanian language media reports that said she referred to Serbia and Kosovo as "two sovereign countries" while in Pristina on Thursday, to say she "emphasized in the same sentence" that five EU member states have not recognized Kosovo.

Mogherini "underlined that the European Union finds the creation of a Greater Albania unacceptable."

While in Belgrade on Friday, the EU official also met with Serbia's prime minister, and with the foreign minister.