Ambassadors on Serbia's priority tasks

KOPAONIK - Strengthening the rule of law, institutions, justice system and harmonizing Serbia's foreign policy with that of the EU are just some of the recommendations that ambassadors of the EU member states and the Unites States see as the priorities for Belgrade along its path toward EU membership.

French Ambassador in Belgrade Francois Xavier Deniau underscored at a panel during the Kopaonik Business Forum that he agrees with the estimate that January 21, when Serbia opened EU accession talks, is a historic date.

"No Serbian government can be now entitled to act contrary to the EU values or criteria," Deniau said, noting that this refers to the media, judiciary, and foreign policy obligations, even in relation to complex issues such as the situation in Ukraine.

That is part of the game, he said at the panel titled "Acceleration of Accession Process to the EU: What is to be Done?".

Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport highlighted four points that, in his opinion, constitute a priority in Serbia's EU integration.

These are a proactive approach of the government after the forthcoming elections, professionalization of administration, and a better coordinated, cross-government approach.

Predictability is also important, as to where Serbia will be in four-five years - charting a realistic course and following it systematically, as well as participation of citizens in a healthy public debate that will involve social partners, civic society, Davenport said.

U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby said that the first priority implies a change in the mentality concerning public sector work and approach to the creation of wealth.

The approach to public companies has to...

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