"EU perspective crucial for Kosovo dialogue"

Source: Tanjug

SPLIT -- EU perspective has made a considerable contribution to promoting the regional cooperation and relations in the Western Balkans, says Ivica Dacic.

(Tanjug/Serbian MFA)

It was also "the key factor that contributed to the success of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina," the Serbian foreign minister said during a conference in Split, Croatia, late last week.
“The success of this dialogue is yet another confirmation that the enlargement policy still stands as a strong driving force in the Western Balkans,” Dacic said at the Third EU-Southeast Europe Summit.

Dacic noted a major halt in the EU enlargement in the Western Balkan would bring about multiple negative consequences for economic development and thereby the region's political stability, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Serbia's first strategic foreign policy priority is the EU membership, while traditional political, economic and cultural relations with Russia should by no means bring Serbia's foreign policy priorities into question, Dacic said.

Serbia is working hard on opening a number of negotiating chapters during this year, Dacic said and expressed hope that the Council of Ministers will decide on opening new chapters in foreseeable future.

During the gathering he also stated that Serbia was "continuously advocating for intensifying all forms of regional cooperation that would contribute to the region's stability and its European integration and international affirmation."

“We are working hard on strengthening the connections in the region in the fields of economy, transport, energy and infrastructure, which would ensure a stronger connection with the EU, create new, more favorable conditions for movement of goods and people and step up our business competitiveness,” Dacic said.

Serbia has successfully completed the screening process so now is the time for a new phase in its membership talks, Dacic said.

The conference in Split has brought together Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro Igor Luksic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Ditmir Bushati, as well as State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania George Ciamba.