New gov't will have much to do, must continue reforms

KOPAONIK - The new Serbian government will have much to do, but its most important task is to seize the historic opportunity presented by the EU accession process and continue the initiated reforms, ambassadors of leading European countries said on Thursday.

Serbia's talks with the EU are taking their course and are according to plan in all political circumstances, the head of the EU delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport said.

After the elections we want to see a new government that continues strongly on the course of European integrations and key reforms, not only as regards the most significant economic and structural reforms, but also judicial reforms, Davenport told Tanjug on the fringes of the Kopaonik Business Forum.

This business forum is always a good opportunity to hear how businesses see their priorities, he said.

Germany's Ambassador to Serbia Heinz Wilhelm believes that the new government will face many tasks and great and difficult challenges.

Belgrade needs to continue the dialogue with Pristina, and the Brussels Agreement is merely the first step, the ambassador told Tanjug, adding that he is pleased that the dialogue is ongoing despite the electoral campaign in Serbia.

Politically, Serbia must continue its constructive and active role in the whole region, Wilhelm said, describing as very significant the fact that the outgoing government has established good relations with neighbouring countries - Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro.

Setting and implementing rules should be the highest priority for the new government, Italian ambassador Giuseppe Manzo said.

Once you set the rules, there will be business, Manzo said, adding that Italian...