Joksimovic: Serbia should become functional part of EU

BELGRADE - Jadranka Joksimovic, Serbia's minister without portfolio responsible for EU integration, has said on Wednesday that the only proper goal for Serbia is to become a functional part of the European Union, and called on its members to back further EU enlargement.

"The EU member states should back the enlargement, as principles and values that it is advocating for contribute to stability, not only of the Western Balkan region, but entire Europe," Joksimovic said, opening a roundtable titled "Ten Years in the EU: Lithuanian Achievements in the European Integration Process" in the Serbian parliament.

One must understand that some EU member states did not set the enlargement as a top priority, given the economic crisis, she said, noting that further EU enlargement also entails some benefits.

"These are goals that the new Serbian government set for itself, relating to a high level of productivity, the fight against poverty, education-based economy, environmental protection," she said.

Joksimovic stressed that it is the new government's intent to intensify the negotiating process, noting that the screening has been completed for eight chapters.

She underlined the importance of the recent visits by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Speaking about the topic of the roundtable pointing to the positive changes that took place after 10 countries joined the EU in 2004, Joksimovic said that was a great success, which encouraged other countries to change the socio-economic concept and adjust to the EU standards.

"In these 10 years, regardless of the specificities of experiences of new members, the EU proved to be successful in achieving peace and...