News from Berlin – The Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, met Germany’s Foreign Minister Steinmeier at the headquarters of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) on Monday, June 30th for a discussion titled “New Start towards Europe – Serbia on its way into the EU”.

In his opening words, Vučić praised the good relations with Germany and said that they were a reliable partner to work with towards EU membership. His country is not politically fragmented anymore and speaks with one voice when it comes to EU membership, the Prime Minister said. “We want to do our homework, and we will do everything to get good feedback from the EU”. To achieve this Serbia has prepared reforms to apply fiscal consolidation throughout the country and will accept Chapters 23 and 24 of the acquis communautaire, in order to make the rule of law part of Serbia’s law.

Steinmeier highlighted that Germany’s and Serbia’s relations have not always been easy, however, the past should be overcome and the future of the two countries is tight cooperation on all levels through EU membership. The start of negotiations in January 2014 was a historical step for Serbia said the German Foreign Minister. Serbia has worked hard towards the normalisation of its relations with Kosovo and the recognition of Bosnia-Herzegovina as a state. It will be a long path towards EU membership, nevertheless Steinmeier told Prime Minister Vučić that Germany wanted to be a helping partner, not one who stands in the way of Serbia’s membership to the European Union.

News from Berlin – Berlin Global