Serbia "should align foreign policy with EU"

Serbia "should align foreign policy with EU"

"The prime minister and the first deputy prime minister share our concerns and insist on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Serbia will in this respect have a great responsibility next year, when it assumes the role of (OSCE) chairman, " Davenport said in an interview with the daily Večernje Novosti.

He added that further progress in the negotiations with the EU requires reforms to gain momentum.

"We have in mind the rule of law, human rights, media reform and the fight against corruption. Continuing the dialogue with Priština as soon as possible is required. Of course, it is necessary to implement the agreements reached and to continue the normalization of relations," Davenport was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

He added screenings so far included 18 of the 35 chapters and that more chapters would be analyzed before the end of the year.

"European Commission President Barroso, who was recently in Belgrade, said it was not ruled out that the first chapter could be opened by the end of this year. The schedule depends on member states, but primarily on the level of preparedness of the Serbian side. If you have not completed a strategic plan or legislation in a particular area, or a plan of legislative activities, there is no benefit from opening chapters," said Davenport.

This EU official added that the opening of chapters 23 and 24 on human rights and the fight against corruption was possible in the first half of 2015.

Davenport also said that the donor conference in Brussels on July 16 organized by Slovenia, France and the European Commission is expected to bring good news.

"Currently, there are plans for an aid package for 2014 worth EUR 200 million, of which a part will be meant for repairing the damage caused by the recent floods in Serbia, he stated, adding that the EU expected Serbia to also get funds from the EU Solidarity Fund, which it could request as though it were a member of the EU. Serbia should file the request by early August and the EU will decide on it by the end of the year," he noted.

Commenting on criticism that the EU has promised a lot, but that little actual aid has arrived to help deal with the consequences of the floods, Davenport said the EU has already set aside EUR 30 million to help rebuild some areas hit by the floods, and that the formalities concerning the package would soon be completed.

The aid effort during the floods in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia was the biggest ever operation of the Community Mechanism for Civil Protection and it included 22 member countries of the organization, with around 400 people from 13 countries being sent to Serbia alone, Davenport pointed out.