"Serbia wants serious relationship with EU"

LUXEMBOURG Prime Minister Ivica Dacic says Serbia wants a serious and responsible relationship with the EU in order to become a full member as soon as possible. "We do not want Serbia to be only twenty-ninth star on the EU flag, but to shine in full splendour," he was quoted as saying late on Monday, after the first meeting of the Council for the Implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). "Serbia wants serious relationship with EU" The meeting, held in Luxembourg, was held with the participation of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. Dacic stressed that Serbia "took a serious and responsible approach to European integration" and said that "the situation from the past would not repeat, when the Serbian government lied and cheated with no intention to implement what was agreed." "We will fulfil what we agreed on, from the SAA to the Brussels agreement, because we want to build a modern society to which Europe will come before we go to Europe," said he. Dacic then recalled that the EU was the most important economic partner of Serbia, participating with 61 percent in trade, and that Serbia in recent years received about three billion euros from the EU development funds. "Our goal is a rapid accession to the EU and a rapid consolidation of the economic system," the prime minister said. He thanked Ashton as her direct participation in the constitution of the Council "added to the importance of Serbia's entry into a new phase of European integration," and saw this a sign that "it is not only Serbia that is looking forward to the EU, but the EU to Serbia as well." During a joint press conference, Ashton said that the establishment of the Council was a new step in relations with Serbia, and commended Dacic for his "courage and efforts." "I can assure you that the EU wants Serbia to succeed," said the high representative, adding that she expects the accession negotiations to commence in January 2014 at the latest. She stressed that it was important that the local elections in Kosovo, scheduled for November 3 pass successfully with a high turnout. "I believe it will be successful and that people will come out to vote," she said. EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule also took part in the session of the council, and, asked by a reporter about the dispute between Belgrade and Zagreb regarding cigarette imports said he was "glad that the problem is solved." "It is not about any new quotas, but about maintaining the trade flow so far, " he said. Dacic also met separately with the foreign ministers of France and Sweden. Ashton said in Luxembourg that the overall progress of Serbia this year was "historic." (Tanjug) Tanjug

"Serbia wants serious relationship with EU"

The meeting, held in Luxembourg, was held with the participation of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Dačić stressed that Serbia "took a serious and responsible approach to European integration" and said that "the situation from the past would not repeat, when the Serbian government lied and cheated with no intention to implement what was agreed."

"We will fulfil what we agreed on, from the SAA to the Brussels agreement, because we want to build a modern society to which Europe will come before we go to Europe," said he.

Dačić then recalled that the EU was the most important economic partner of Serbia, participating with 61 percent in trade, and that Serbia in recent years received about three billion euros from the EU development funds.

"Our goal is a rapid accession to the EU and a rapid consolidation of the economic system," the prime minister said.

He thanked Ashton as her direct participation in the constitution of the Council "added to the importance of Serbia's entry into a new phase of European integration," and saw this a sign that "it is not only Serbia that is looking forward to the EU, but the EU to Serbia as well."

During a joint press conference, Ashton said that the establishment of the Council was a new step in relations with Serbia, and commended Dačić for his "courage and efforts."

"I can assure you that the EU wants Serbia to succeed," said the high representative, adding that she expects the accession negotiations to commence in January 2014 at the latest.

She stressed that it was important that the local elections in Kosovo, scheduled for November 3 pass successfully with a high turnout.

"I believe it will be successful and that people will come out to vote," she said.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule also took part in the session of the council, and, asked by a reporter about the dispute between Belgrade and Zagreb regarding cigarette imports said he was "glad that the problem is solved."

"It is not about any new quotas, but about maintaining the trade flow so far, " he said.

Dačić also met separately with the foreign ministers of France and Sweden.

Ashton said in Luxembourg that the overall progress of Serbia this year was "historic."