FM: Serbia doesn't expect privileges in EU talks

FM: Serbia doesn't expect privileges in EU talks

Drawing on the experiences of other countries, we know just how difficult it is to face the leftovers in the talks on important areas when the talks enter the final stages, Dačić said at the 9th Croatia Forum 2014 in Dubrovnik.

Addressing a panel entitled 'EU Integration of the Western Balkans: Similarities and differences', Dačić said that the EU has a completely new approach which envisages opening of the chapters that cover rule of law and functioning of the legal state at the start of the accession talks, and in Serbia's case, the beginning of the talks also covers Chapter 35 on the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Priština.

According to Dačić, the European perspective was the key factor that made it possible for the Belgrade-Priština dialogue to be successful.

This example points to the international importance of the EU as a body capable of solving crises and essentially contributing to stability and security, he said.

He underscored it is important that the entire process of EU integration in the region is being conducted in a positive direction, the latest example of this being the candidate status recently granted to Albania, a fact welcomed by Serbia.

Reflecting on the benefits of EU membership, Dačić underscored that the advantages for the participants in the EU integration process are beyond measure, having in mind the establishment of democracy, encouragement of economic growth and creation of a good security environment.

He said that the recent catastrophic floods proved just how much solidarity and connections with the EU are important in ensuring support to reconstruction and assistance.

In the continuation of the enlargement process, we expect everyone to make progress according to their performance and implemented reforms, Dačić said and added that no privileges are expected in the process. Nevertheless, insisting on artificial "equalization" of the pace of aspiring countries would be counterproductive, he said.

The topic of this year's Forum is "European Integration of the Western Balkans: State of Play."

The Forum gathers over 15 foreign ministers of EU member countries, Western Balkan countries, Eastern Partnership members and representatives of the U.S., Russia, China, Japan and New Zealand, as well as EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule and a number of prominent analysts and public figures.

Croatia Forum will end on Saturday, and the event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia.