Costa: EU remains committed to Serbia's accession, reforms need to be accelerated

BELGRADE - European Council President Antonio Costa said on Tuesday in Belgrade the EU remained strongly committed to the accession of Serbia as a stable and prosperous country and that he expected the new Serbian government's commitment to EU integration to swiftly translate "into concrete actions and acceleration of reforms."

"We are living a very positive momentum in the European Union for enlargement. And this is a clear opportunity for Serbia to build upon it. The EU remains strongly committed to the accession of Serbia as a stable, peaceful and prosperous country, having dealt with the legacy of the past and having chosen to embrace its democratic and European future. I was glad to hear that EU integration remains a top priority for you and the new government. What is important now is that this swiftly translates into concrete actions and acceleration of reforms," Costa said at a press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Palace of Serbia.

"As you know, accession is a merit-based process. What needs to be done as a next step in order to open Cluster 3 is very clear and is what we previously agreed to do: enhance media freedom, fight corruption and reform the electoral law. It is good to hear from you, dear Aleksandar, what you are doing to move forward," Costa said.

"This is not an exercise of ticking boxes – these reforms will bring tangible benefits to Serbian citizens. The full alignment with the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy and the resolution of bilateral issues are also essential elements for your accession. The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is a crucial point.

And of course, we cannot ignore in this regard that, as you know, a key element of our Common Foreign and Security Policy is a clear condemnation of the Russian brutal invasion of Ukraine and the support to Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace," he said.

Costa also noted that this was the fourth time he had met with Vucic since taking office in December.

"In December, when I started my mandate as the President of the European Council, I sent a clear signal of my personal commitment and the priority I attach to the enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkans. And today, I start here, in Serbia, the visit to all the six Western Balkans partners," he said.