Austria "to continue supporting Serbia's EU path"

Austria "to continue supporting Serbia's EU path"

BELGRADE -- Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann stated on Thursday that his country "will remain a strong and reliable partner to Serbia on its European Union path."

Speaking in Belgrade, he added that the support to Western Balkan countries is "an integral part of Austria's policy."

After the talks with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, Faymann said that lessons must be drawn from the past and that various important dates connected to World War I, the 100th anniversary of which is being marked this year, and World War II and clashes in the territory of former Yugoslavia "show that a joint peaceful Europe is a necessity."

"War and violence never solved conflicts and this is why close cooperation in all areas in the region bears crucial importance," Faymann said who came to Belgrade together with Austrian Defense Minister Gerald Klug.

Asked about his expectations as to Serbia's EU membership, Faymann said that he cannot specify the likelihood of the goal being achieved by the dates the prime minister mentioned in public, i.e. the years of 2019 and 2020, but he said that Austria would remain Serbia's strong partner on the path.

”We have always supported Western Balkan countries on their path toward the EU and joint Europe. This is a consistent part of our policy,” Faymann said.

He expressed the belief that one country's competitiveness is created through conditions such as rule of law, fight against corruption and political credibility, but he added that investments are also needed because a policy of savings and budget reduction cannot create new jobs on its own.

The Austrian chancellor expressed gratitude to Vučić...