"Chapters could open by end of year, Serbia not forgotten"

"Chapters could open by end of year, Serbia not forgotten"

Serbia is not forgotten in Brussels, Schulz said at a joint news briefing at which Prime Minister Vucic said that Serbia will continue to pursue the policy of peace and stability.

"I believe that we will have Schulz's support in Brussels and that we will be able to rejoice at Brussels' recognition of our results," Vucic said at a press conference after a meeting with the EU official who is staying on a visit to Belgrade.

Noting that the EU is looking with expectation to the key role Serbia could play in the region, Schulz said that his visit to Belgrade comes at the turbulent times for the EU, primarily bearing in mind the difficult negotiations on Greece.

The EU official also pointed to the importance of developing the economic and infrastructure ties in the region, stressing that stability and sustainable development are possible only through cooperation, as they are both important for the region and the EU as a whole.

"If everything goes well, I could image that until the end of the year we could perhaps open a chapter," the EP president said.

Asked whether reaching a new agreement with Pristina stands as a condition, Schulz said that this is only one of the elements.

Opening of chapters depends on a lot of things, not only signing the agreement with Pristina, but this is surely an important element, Schulz said.

Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday that Serbia will "certainly open initial chapters in negotiations with the EU by the end of the year," but that he is concerned about the stabilization of political circumstances in the Balkans.

“I hope that we will manage to conclude certain agreements with Pristina much earlier, and that the recommendation will be given in September so that the first chapters could be opened in October.

"I am completely certain that they will be opened by the year's end,” Vucic said at a joint press conference with Schulz.

Vucic noted, however, that he is less worried about the opening of chapters and more concerned about the political situation in the region and possible repercussions that instability in the region might have, and emphasized that Serbia is stable in political and economic terms.

“I am not saying I am fearful, but I am concerned,” Vucic said, adding that he asked for the EU's assistance and support in relation to the issue.

The prime minister underlined that he will take on personal responsibility if the first chapters are not opened by the end of the year.