Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Arab Republic of Egypt

SERBIA BEGINS EUROPEAN UNION ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS Brussels, January 21, 2014

The Republic of Serbia has started European Union accesion negotiatios at The first Serbia - EU intergovernmental conference, wich took place on January 21, 2014 in Brussels.

The beginning of the European Union accession talks is an historic event for the Republic of Serbia and the success of the country's foreign policy. The goal of the accession negotiations is the membership of Serbia in the European Union (EU) with all the rights and obligations stemming from the membership. We expect the negotiations to run smoothly and in good faith, and its results to be mutually beneficial for both Serbia and the EU. We also expect that Serbia's accession to EU will protect the vital interests of its citizens. In this context, Serbia will be in a position to take on the obligations of membership in the medium term (i.e. five years) in nearly all fields of acquis.

In Serbia, there is a wide social and political consensus of all relevant political actors concerning its future membership in the European Union. Serbia fully shares EU values and fully accepts EU goals. The Republic of Serbia wants to be an active and a constructive Member State whose actions will contribute to the realization of the goals and values that the EU is based upon.

At the table, there will be representatives of the European Commission and Member State that holds the presidency of the EU Council, on one side, and the delegation of Serbia-candidate country, on the other side. Chairman was Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Evangelos Venizelos, and the European Commission was represented by Štefan Füle, Commissioner responsible for enlargement. Serbia`s state delegation was constituted of Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and the First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Mrkic, Minister in charge for European integration Branko Ruzic, head of the Negotiating team Prof. Tanja Miscevic.

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said that the start of Serbia's EU accession talks is the most important event for the country since World War II: "Historically, this will further determine our path,"

Serbia's first next step in terms of European integration will be to prepare for opening Chapters 23 and 24 and the screening process, but the focus of attention will cover the country's economic progress, Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić stated in Brussels. "What interest people in Serbia most is economy and we will deal with economy and Serbia's progress, employment and jobs, and maximum efforts will be invested in these areas." He recalled that all the activities carried out in the previous few months called for major efforts and entailed hardships, and underscored that a different attitude was shown to Serbia at the intergovernmental conference. "Serbia is now seen as a reliable and good partner and we need to draw benefits from this for our people”, concluded Vucic.

Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic stated that Serbia has embarked on the pathway of progress, peace and stability, and consequently it has been commended by all EU member states and expressed satisfaction that Serbia is entering the entire process under the Greek EU presidency.

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said that a new chapter is opening in EU-Serbia relations and congratulated the country on the start of accession talks.