"Pace of integration depends on reforms and implementation"

BELGRADE European Council (EC) President Herman Van Rompuy has said Serbia had full support from the EC on its path to EU membership. The pace of the integration will depend on the commitment and efforts invested to implement the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina and conduct reforms, he said. "Pace of integration depends on reforms and implementation" Serbia's Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said the opening of the accession talks with the EU, as decided by the EC on Friday, marked a great change in the society. History is made by people, and we will create history together, Rompuy told a joint news conference with Dacic, held in Belgrade on Monday. He congratulated the Serbian government and people on the historic step towards EU membership, adding that it came as a result of brave decisions by leaders in Belgrade and Pristina. The agreement between Belgrade and Pristina from April paved the way to final reconciliation between the two communities, Rompuy said. The EU will continue to assist Serbia politically and financially, he pointed out. The next step in the accession process will be the intergovernmental conference, which be held no later than January, he noted. The opening of the talks was another mark of quality for the Serbian society, said Dacic. This is a historic day that marks a big change in society, modernization and new capabilities, he told reporters in Belgrade. It is very important that the talks start immediately, including the technical, political, central and those between 35 teams, he remarked. Serbia wants to do it fast, efficiently and with quality, and not receive EU membership as a reward, but earn it through reforms, the prime minister underscored. He pointed out it was important that Rompuy personally invited him after the EC meeting to inform him of its conclusions. That conclusion was improved to Serbia's benefit by not mentioning December and a new conference of the EU, meaning the European framework could open even earlier, Dacic stated. The talks were opened without new requirements and reviews at another intergovernmental conference, he emphasized. Dacic thanked EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and EU members for giving recognition to the policy of the Serbian government and President Tomislav Nikolic, which contributed to Serbia's reputation, peace and stability in the region. Van Rompuy's visit is a great form of support and encouragement for Serbia, the prime minister said. Rompuy first met alone with Dacic after arriving in Belgrade. The two were later joined by their delegations. The Serbian delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Suzana Grubjesic, Minister of Economy and Finance Mladjan Dinkic, and Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic. Rompuy will also meet on Monday with Nikolic and Parliament Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic. (Tanjug) Tanjug

"Pace of integration depends on reforms and implementation"

Serbia's Prime Minister Ivica Dačić said the opening of the accession talks with the EU, as decided by the EC on Friday, marked a great change in the society.

History is made by people, and we will create history together, Rompuy told a joint news conference with Dačić, held in Belgrade on Monday.

He congratulated the Serbian government and people on the historic step towards EU membership, adding that it came as a result of brave decisions by leaders in Belgrade and Priština.

The agreement between Belgrade and Priština from April paved the way to final reconciliation between the two communities, Rompuy said.

The EU will continue to assist Serbia politically and financially, he pointed out.

The next step in the accession process will be the intergovernmental conference, which be held no later than January, he noted.

The opening of the talks was another mark of quality for the Serbian society, said Dačić. This is a historic day that marks a big change in society, modernization and new capabilities, he told reporters in Belgrade.

It is very important that the talks start immediately, including the technical, political, central and those between 35 teams, he remarked.

Serbia wants to do it fast, efficiently and with quality, and not receive EU membership as a reward, but earn it through reforms, the prime minister underscored.

He pointed out it was important that Rompuy personally invited him after the EC meeting to inform him of its conclusions.

That conclusion was improved to Serbia's benefit by not mentioning December and a new conference of the EU, meaning the European framework could open even earlier, Dačić stated.

The talks were opened without new requirements and reviews at another intergovernmental conference, he emphasized.

Dačić thanked EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and EU members for giving recognition to the policy of the Serbian government and President Tomislav Nikolić, which contributed to Serbia's reputation, peace and stability in the region.

Van Rompuy's visit is a great form of support and encouragement for Serbia, the prime minister said.

Rompuy first met alone with Dačić after arriving in Belgrade. The two were later joined by their delegations.

The Serbian delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Suzana Grubješić, Minister of Economy and Finance Mlađan Dinkić, and Justice Minister Nikola Selaković.

Rompuy will also meet on Monday with Nikolić and Parliament Speaker Nebojša Stefanović.