“Reforms more important than deadlines”

Italy strongly believes that Serbia should get the EU membership candidate status, Italian Ambassador in Belgrade Armando Varichio said. He added, however, that there were reforms that needed to be implemented in Serbia by the end of the year. “Reforms more important than deadlines” “With the will of the Serbian people and the conviction of the political leaders in Belgrade, this goal will be reached,” he told daily Vecernje novosti, stressing that imposing strict deadlines and focusing solely on them would be futile. The Italian ambassador pointed out that focusing on deadlines could turn out to be a negative approach. “It is important to focus on the will for the reforms to come alive. Only this would bring benefit to the citizens,” he added. Varichio believes that the candidate status is a realistic goal but it represents only the beginning of a new path that will take a long time to get there. “Serbia needs to implement reforms in order to obtain the candidate status and begin the accession negotiations, but not because this was prompted by Brussels,” the Italian ambassador stressed. He also said that reforms were necessary for the development and welfare of citizens. Varichio pointed out that Europe could offer Serbia three things: an accession strategy, a manner to implement it and the goal, adding that there were countries within the EU that felt close to Serbia and that would help it along the way.

“Reforms more important than deadlines”

“With the will of the Serbian people and the conviction of the political leaders in Belgrade, this goal will be reached,” he told daily Večernje novosti, stressing that imposing strict deadlines and focusing solely on them would be futile.

The Italian ambassador pointed out that focusing on deadlines could turn out to be a negative approach.

“It is important to focus on the will for the reforms to come alive. Only this would bring benefit to the citizens,” he added.

Varichio believes that the candidate status is a realistic goal but it represents only the beginning of a new path that will take a long time to get there.

“Serbia needs to implement reforms in order to obtain the candidate status and begin the accession negotiations, but not because this was prompted by Brussels,” the Italian ambassador stressed.

He also said that reforms were necessary for the development and welfare of citizens.

Varichio pointed out that Europe could offer Serbia three things: an accession strategy, a manner to implement it and the goal, adding that there were countries within the EU that felt close to Serbia and that would help it along the way.