Davenport: First chapter maybe by year's end

BELGRADE - Head of the EU's Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport has said that further progress in the negotiations with the EU will require fresh momentum for reforms, and noted that the first chapter in the negotiations could be opened by the end of the year.

President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, who was in Belgrade recently, said that it not impossible that Serbia opens the first chapter of the EU entry talks by the end of the year. The schedule depends on member countries, but primarily on the level of readiness on the Serbian side, Davenport said in an interview published in the Thursday issue of the Belgrade-based daily Novosti.

When it comes to reforms, Davenport said that this refers primarily to the economy, rule of law, human rights, media reforms and the fight against corruption.

He underscored that the dialogue with Pristina needs to resume as soon as possible, and that the sides need to implement the agreements reached so far, and continue working toward the full normalization of relations.

Davenport noted that, up to this point, the screening has been done for 18 out of 35 chapters, with some chapters yet to be analyzed by the end of the year, which is an impressive result, Novosti reported.

As regards chapter 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and chapter 24 (justice, freedom and security), it is possible that they will be opened in the first half of 2015, he added.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Davenport said that the Serbian prime minister and president share the EU's concerns and insist on the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

In that respect, Serbia will have a big responsibility next year when it is to assume the OSCE chairmanship. As a...