FM: Internal reforms important for Serbia

BELGRADE Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic said on Wednesday that the important thing for Serbia was to continue internal reforms. He added that Cyprus would wholeheartedly support Serbia's European integration FM: Internal reforms important for Serbia Summing up his visit to Cyprus, Mrkic told Tanjug that he had friendly, fruitful and edifying talks with his hosts. This was Mrkic’s first trip abroad since taking office. "Cyprus is presiding over the EU and as a true-blue friend of Serbia will wholeheartedly support us as we continue on our path toward the EU," said Mrkic. The Serbian FM met in Nicosia on Tuesday with Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, who said her country's wish and goal was for Serbia to get a starting date for accession talks with the EU before the end of the Cypriot presidency, which lasts until the end of the year. "We will do everything in our power to make this happen, but the dates are not the most important thing for us. It is very important how we behave and how much we truly manage to improve ourselves through future reforms," said the Serbian foreign minister. According to him, Serbia should move forward with reforming its own system for its own benefit and betterment, the same way previous candidate countries did. Mrkic said relations between Cyprus and Serbia were upstanding in every respect and added that further steps aimed at strengthening ties had been discussed. He also met with Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias on Tuesday. "This was an opportunity to relay greetings from our President Tomislav Nikolic and arrange their meeting during the UN General Assembly session in New York next month," he explained. The minister underscored that bilateral visits would be arranged at a later date. Mrkic also stressed Cyprus's support to Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. "Of course, Serbia repays it in kind when it comes to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cyprus," concluded the Serbian FM. Cyprus is one of five EU member countries which have not recognized Kosovo's independence, and according to its foreign minister, this position will not change. Ivan Mrkic (Tanjug) Tanjug

FM: Internal reforms important for Serbia

Summing up his visit to Cyprus, Mrkić told Tanjug that he had friendly, fruitful and edifying talks with his hosts.

This was Mrkić’s first trip abroad since taking office.

"Cyprus is presiding over the EU and as a true-blue friend of Serbia will wholeheartedly support us as we continue on our path toward the EU," said Mrkić.

The Serbian FM met in Nicosia on Tuesday with Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, who said her country's wish and goal was for Serbia to get a starting date for accession talks with the EU before the end of the Cypriot presidency, which lasts until the end of the year.

"We will do everything in our power to make this happen, but the dates are not the most important thing for us. It is very important how we behave and how much we truly manage to improve ourselves through future reforms," said the Serbian foreign minister.

According to him, Serbia should move forward with reforming its own system for its own benefit and betterment, the same way previous candidate countries did.

Mrkić said relations between Cyprus and Serbia were upstanding in every respect and added that further steps aimed at strengthening ties had been discussed.

He also met with Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias on Tuesday.

"This was an opportunity to relay greetings from our President Tomislav Nikolić and arrange their meeting during the UN General Assembly session in New York next month," he explained.

The minister underscored that bilateral visits would be arranged at a later date.

Mrkić also stressed Cyprus's support to Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"Of course, Serbia repays it in kind when it comes to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cyprus," concluded the Serbian FM.

Cyprus is one of five EU member countries which have not recognized Kosovo's independence, and according to its foreign minister, this position will not change.