Serbia opens new chapter in accession negotiations with the EU

At the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, Serbia opened Chapter 4 on freedom of movement of capital. Opening this chapter means that Serbia is implementing reforms - this is the message of Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic.

This is the second chapter in the EU membership talks that is opened this year, after Chapter 9 on financial services which was opened in June.

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Technically speaking, three more chapters were ready to be opened at this time - Chapter 2 on free movement of workers, Chapter 21 on trans-European networks and 14 on transport policy, but member-states reached political agreement only on Chapter 4.

Serbia's delegation to the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels is represented by Eurointegration Minister Jadranka Joksimovic, who said at the conference after the opening of the chapter that today is an important day for Serbia's European path.

Photo: Tanjug/Zoran Stanic

"We've opened the 18th chapter in our accession negotiations, 18 out of 35 - that means that we have opened more than half," added Joksimovic, pointing out that this is not a goal in itself, but to close chapters and achieve the standards promised to citizens and set as the goal.

She pointed out that the halfway point in the opening of chapters has its significance.

"It certainly shows that Serbia is not standing still, and regardless of the atmosphere that has not favored enlargement lately, nevertheless that policy survives. It has its ups and downs, but with this opening of a chapter we show that the enlargement policy is alive," said Joksimovic.

"The opening Chapter 4 on free movement of capital is not just a signal to the region or a way to show that the enlargement policy is alive, opening this chapter means that Serbia is implementing reforms. Can they go faster? They can. Especially in some areas, we will try to accelerate this process in the future, because it' in our interest above all," said the minister.

She noted that this chapter proves that, in addition to successful economic reforms, Serbia has made some progress in the area of ​​the rule of law.

"Personally, I think that based on what we have done in the area of ​​the rule of law more chapters could have been opened, but we are known as a country in the accession process that doesn't complain, isn't seeking any concessions, but only a fair and honest approach, and that will be the same going forward," said Joksimovic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)