EU enlargement policy "focuses on economy"

EU enlargement policy "focuses on economy"

The EU is "the goal and framework that makes us work faster," Joskimovic told Tanjug, adding that that was precisely how she had understood recent statements by European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn.

"He advocates for the continuation of EU integration and the enlargement policy, but with clear criteria. The new European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has just presented a concept of how to stabilize the European economy and create new jobs," she stated.

The criteria for new candidates will follow that concept and move towards economic criteria, which matches Serbia's reforms, she believes.

Hahn, an Austrian politician and former EU commissioner for regional policy, knows well the situation in the region, she pointed out.

Austria has been among the EU countries that speak in favor of the Western Balkan countries in recent years, and has also advocated further enlargement, especially good relations with Serbia, she noted.

On the other hand, there is an official EU enlargement policy that does not include new accessions in the next 5 years, she added.

"That does not contradict our plan at all. We are aware that we have to finish the work related to adopting new legislation by 2018, which is in line with our national plan for the adoption of EU acquis, and then, one or two years later, the process of ratification and full readiness to join the EU will come," she said.

Hahn could visit Belgrade in late November, Joksimović remarked.

"It is good that we have that previous history of good relations and I expect his role as a commissioner in the next five years to be constructive," Joksimović stated.

Commenting on the talks between Belgrade and Priština, she said the Brussels agreement was one of the best results of the joint foreign and security policy of the EU, which Serbia had contributed to as well.

By signing the Brussels agreement, Serbia showed that its approach is constructive and that it is part of the solution, not the problem, while also managing to protect its interest, she pointed out.

"We entered the whole process with the desire to avoid frozen conflicts and to start solving problems," Joksimović added.

Former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Aston has been replaced by Federica Mogherini, but it is not yet known if she is going to take part in the talks between Belgrade and Priština, like Ashton did, the minister said.

"I expect the EU foreign affairs service to continue to be involved in the implementation of the Brussels agreement, and for Mogherini to take up an active role," she stated.