Negotiator: Chapter 35 to be opened first

BELGRADE Tanja Miscevic has said that Serbia will try to open EU negotiations chapter as soon as possible, and expects the first to be Chapter 35. "Our job is to try to go as fast as we can in opening chapters, not only to close them quickly, but with the intention that this becomes a topic in our public and for the EU, and not just the question of normalizing relations with Pristina," the head of Serbia's team for EU membership negotiations told the daily Politika. Negotiator: Chapter 35 to be opened first She stated that she expects Chapter 35 to be opened first, which has "grouped questions related to normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina." She said that in this chapter, beside representatives of the European Commission, representatives of the European Foreign Service, who participate in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, will also take part. Miscevic confirmed that the EU will, during the screening on January 22, present the elements that they feel need to be worked on during further implementation of the Brussels agreement. There is also the question of the continuation of negotiations on the judiciary, as well as making an analysis of what has been done and what still must be done. The Serbian team will present the questions it considers to be elements of normalizing relations with Pristina - "what is part of, colloquially put, Brussels 2 and Brussels 3." There are ideas on issues related to functioning of the community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo, the issue of property, protection of cultural and religious monuments, as well those related to the holding of elections in Kosovo this year. "There is great interest in the EU and the member states to first open chapters 23 and 24, no matter how large they are. We too are very interested to, as soon as possible, start very seriously work on issues of freedom, security and the rule of law, because it's really in our best interest. I add to this, for example, Chapter 32, relating to control of public spending, and within which we have to make a very clear system of financial control, with technical and financial assistance from the EU and with their experience," said Miscevic. She stressed that the Serbian team must have a clear strategy about "what kind of Serbia we want and under what circumstances we want it to become an EU member, and to then know when we must meet the standards so that we would reach our goal." Miscevic announced that, in addition to environmental protection, agriculture and energy, other "challenging areas" will be transport, regional development and the use of structural funds. (Beta, file) Politika Tanjug

Negotiator: Chapter 35 to be opened first

She stated that she expects Chapter 35 to be opened first, which has "grouped questions related to normalization of relations between Belgrade and Priština." She said that in this chapter, beside representatives of the European Commission, representatives of the European Foreign Service, who participate in the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština, will also take part.

Miščević confirmed that the EU will, during the screening on January 22, present the elements that they feel need to be worked on during further implementation of the Brussels agreement. There is also the question of the continuation of negotiations on the judiciary, as well as making an analysis of what has been done and what still must be done.

The Serbian team will present the questions it considers to be elements of normalizing relations with Priština - "what is part of, colloquially put, Brussels 2 and Brussels 3."

There are ideas on issues related to functioning of the community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo, the issue of property, protection of cultural and religious monuments, as well those related to the holding of elections in Kosovo this year.

"There is great interest in the EU and the member states to first open chapters 23 and 24, no matter how large they are. We too are very interested to, as soon as possible, start very seriously work on issues of freedom, security and the rule of law, because it's really in our best interest. I add to this, for example, Chapter 32, relating to control of public spending, and within which we have to make a very clear system of financial control, with technical and financial assistance from the EU and with their experience," said Miščević.

She stressed that the Serbian team must have a clear strategy about "what kind of Serbia we want and under what circumstances we want it to become an EU member, and to then know when we must meet the standards so that we would reach our goal."

Miščević announced that, in addition to environmental protection, agriculture and energy, other "challenging areas" will be transport, regional development and the use of structural funds.