"Together we are investing in clean transport, several interesting projects are underway, such as the Corridor 10 railway. All this provides a solid basis for Serbia's EU membership. Serbia is one of the most advanced countries in the accession process. It is in this spirit that we are working to open Cluster 3."
This is what European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade.
She commented on the compatibility of Serbia's foreign policy with the EU.
"What I see is that the President received me here, he received the Prime Minister of Greece and Poland, that speaks volumes. I believe that Serbia's future is in the EU. We are a democratic union of states and the decision is up to the people of Serbia," Von der Leyen said.
Vucic said that people who are supposedly concerned about Serbia's European future are constantly attacking its government.
"They composed a text in the newspaper. "Times, 43% (of Serbs - ed.) are for the EU, 42% for BRICS. Yesterday I said that Serbia is on the European path. And why? Ursula can confirm how much I struggled to explain our position, but I also managed to say where I want and where I think Serbia belongs. We will continue our European path, we will try to maintain our partnership and our friendship. My policy will not be guided by opinion polls," the Serbian president said.
Asked about Serbia's possible EU accession date, Von der Leyen said that "the beauty of the accession process is that it is based on merit".
"It is a process in which every sector, category, you have to advance. It is decided by the candidate countries. I have been following Serbia for 5 years, I have seen progress", the EC president said.
Vucic said that it is not easy to be in Serbia's shoes, but that Serbia will do everything possible to speed up its European integration.
"I think what we have done has shown Serbia's capabilities. I think the EU will have to make strategic decisions, I think that as much as it is good for us to be part of the EU and it is important for them that this part of Europe is part of the bloc," said the head of state, who announced the opening of the Serbian embassy in Kiev.
"I can say with pleasure that the Ukrainian authorities have given approval to our ambassador for the opening of our embassy in Kiev and I believe that Mr. Djuric (Serbian Foreign Minister - ed.) will also attend the opening of the embassy," the President added. | BGNES
