U.S. supports EU enlargement, Serbia's integration

BELGRADE U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby stated on Wednesday that "if his country were a part of the EU, it would vote for its enlargement." Stressing that the U.S. supports Serbia's EU integration progress, he added that although "it does not have a vote in the EU, it does have a voice." U.S. supports EU enlargement, Serbia's integration Kirby said at a conference dubbed “Serbia and the European Union - New Opportunity” that the U.S. hopes that Serbia will do everything necessary to implement the Brussels agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. Through the implementation, you will actually encourage the European partners to vote for granting of the starting date for the EU accession talks, he said. He stated that Serbia has made a great step towards the EU, and that this government and its predecessor have cleared away long-standing obstacles on this path, including the cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague and the implementation of a number of internal reforms. Kirby said that Serbia's EU integration will be beneficial not only for Serbia, but also for the entire region, stressing that "Pristina too has European aspirations, and what is good for Kosovo is good for Serbia and the entire region as well." Kirby underlined that if Serbia gets a starting date for the EU membership talks, it may be tempted to relax, but it should allow this, since it is then that a great job will appear. He said that more has to be done in terms of the judicial system reform, strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, strengthening of minority rights and economic recovery. This will take political will and determination, there are no shortcuts but it is worth the effort, said the diplomat, adding that, "the U.S. is a friend and it will be always there to help you." Michael Kirby (R) (Tanjug) Tanjug

U.S. supports EU enlargement, Serbia's integration

Kirby said at a conference dubbed “Serbia and the European Union - New Opportunity” that the U.S. hopes that Serbia will do everything necessary to implement the Brussels agreement between Belgrade and Priština.

Through the implementation, you will actually encourage the European partners to vote for granting of the starting date for the EU accession talks, he said.

He stated that Serbia has made a great step towards the EU, and that this government and its predecessor have cleared away long-standing obstacles on this path, including the cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague and the implementation of a number of internal reforms.

Kirby said that Serbia's EU integration will be beneficial not only for Serbia, but also for the entire region, stressing that "Priština too has European aspirations, and what is good for Kosovo is good for Serbia and the entire region as well."

Kirby underlined that if Serbia gets a starting date for the EU membership talks, it may be tempted to relax, but it should allow this, since it is then that a great job will appear.

He said that more has to be done in terms of the judicial system reform, strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, strengthening of minority rights and economic recovery.

This will take political will and determination, there are no shortcuts but it is worth the effort, said the diplomat, adding that, "the U.S. is a friend and it will be always there to help you."