"EU - Western Balkans" conference held in Belgrade

Source: Beta

BELGRADE -- A forum gathering ministers of interior and justice, dubbed "EU - Western Balkans," was held in Belgrade on Friday.

(Tanjug)

The ministers discussed the fight against organized crime and corruption.
Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said that all Balkan countries are vital partners of the European Union and urged strengthening of this partnership.

Opening the gathering held at the Palace of Serbia, Alfano said that all EU countries are "doomed to work together" and that he expected details of this work to be agreed today.

In his opening speech, Minister of Internal Affairs of Serbia Nebojsa Stefanovic said that Serbia prepared for EU's decision on the formal opening of negotiations with Serbia on chapter 24.

He said that he was pleased with EC's progress report on Serbia's EU integration, especially in the part relating to chapter 24, but noted that Serbia is aware that there is room for improvement.

"We expect to by March 2015 finish work on the Action Plan for this negotiation area and to harmonize with Brussels, and then have it adopted by the government," said Stefanovic.

He added that the long-term goal is to complete the harmonization with EU standards by 2018, as well as successful implementation, in order to ensure greater security and a better life for all citizens of Serbia.

"When all the planned reforms have been completed, and the work of the Serbian police improved and harmonized with EU norms, that will bring greater security not only to citizens of Serbia but also other European nations," said Stefanovic.

He said that in addition to legal and organizational reforms MUP's focus will continue to be the fight against organized crime and corruption, terrorism, particularly trafficking, human trafficking and illegal migration.

Stefanovic said that illegal migrants, drugs and human traffickers and their victims all aim to pass through Serbia, "and that is why it is important for all of Europe that Serbia is a solid bulwark and that the police are doing a good job."

In his opening speech, Minister of Justice of Serbia Nikola Selakovic expressed the hope that Serbia in the period ahead will continue to be a reliable partner of the EU and will effectively overcome the challenges facing each country candidate during accession negotiations.

He said that 2014 "can be called historic" when it comes to the intensity of collaboration between Serbia and the EU, as well as with countries in the region.

Selakovic said the year was marked by preparation for the opening of chapters 23 and 24, and that Serbia in this process received assistance received from neighbors and suggestions from the European Commission.

"I am pleased to note that the negotiating group for chapter 23 a week ago sent a second draft of the Action Plan to the EC, which will in the shortest possible time be followed by adoption," said he.

The event today was organized by Serbian ministries of interior and justice with the support of Italy, which heads the EU presidency until the end of the year, and in cooperation with the European Commission.

A delegation from Kosovo also took part in the forum.

After the opening speeches the conference continued behind closed doors.