President: EU accession is Serbia's strategic goal

BELGRADE Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic met on Monday in Belgrade with a delegation of the European Parliament headed by Edvard Kukan. During the meeting, Nikolic stated, that Serbia's strategic goal was to join the EU as soon as possible - "although a lot remains to be done in order to achieve that". President: EU accession is Serbia's strategic goal Nikolic pointed in particular to the need for changes in the judiciary, "unscrupulous fight against corruption and crime", revision of all disputable privatizations, "not only because Europe requires that from us, but primarily because that is in the interest of Serbia". According to his press service, Nikolic also stated that "there is no need for Serbia to wait to become an EU member country in order to imply European standards". He underlined that he expects from the new government "to start working on the issue from the very fist day of its mandate". During the talks, Kukan expressed his support for Serbia's efforts in obtaining a date for the start of accession talks and welcomed the country's commitment to the EU pathway. (Tanjug) Tanjug

President: EU accession is Serbia's strategic goal

Nikolić pointed in particular to the need for changes in the judiciary, "unscrupulous fight against corruption and crime", revision of all disputable privatizations, "not only because Europe requires that from us, but primarily because that is in the interest of Serbia".

According to his press service, Nikolić also stated that "there is no need for Serbia to wait to become an EU member country in order to imply European standards".

He underlined that he expects from the new government "to start working on the issue from the very fist day of its mandate".

During the talks, Kukan expressed his support for Serbia's efforts in obtaining a date for the start of accession talks and welcomed the country's commitment to the EU pathway.