Lisbon treaty opens doors, says Jeremić

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic believes that the success of the Irish EU referendum marks a "new episode in the development of the EU". He thinks that the expected positive result of the referendum opens the door to all European peoples including those in the Western Balkans. Lisbon treaty opens doors, says Jeremic "This opens the door toward the establishment of a 21st century Europe, Europe that will have room for all European peoples including those from the Western Balkans," he was quoted. The minister went on to say that the success of the referendum in Ireland is of enormous significance for Europe and that it "opens up a new episode in the development of the EU", which he dubbed "our joint success". Stating that Serbia's central strategic priority is EU membership, Jeremic added that "soon the agreement will come into force that will enable this". "I think we all have reason to feel joy at the success of the Irish referendum and to with more energy and strength get down to meeting all the criteria necessary for EU membership, and that is the Copenhagen criteria which have been equally defined for all," said the Serbian foreign minister. Also in Belgrade today, Swedish Ambassador Krister Bringeus, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said that while the positive outcome of the Irish referendum will encourage further EU enlargement and Serbia's association, "this cannot replace the reform process in Serbia".

Lisbon treaty opens doors, says Jeremić

"This opens the door toward the establishment of a 21st century Europe, Europe that will have room for all European peoples including those from the Western Balkans," he was quoted.

The minister went on to say that the success of the referendum in Ireland is of enormous significance for Europe and that it "opens up a new episode in the development of the EU", which he dubbed "our joint success".

Stating that Serbia's central strategic priority is EU membership, Jeremić added that "soon the agreement will come into force that will enable this".

"I think we all have reason to feel joy at the success of the Irish referendum and to with more energy and strength get down to meeting all the criteria necessary for EU membership, and that is the Copenhagen criteria which have been equally defined for all," said the Serbian foreign minister.

Also in Belgrade today, Swedish Ambassador Krister Bringeus, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said that while the positive outcome of the Irish referendum will encourage further EU enlargement and Serbia's association, "this cannot replace the reform process in Serbia".