The opening of the first chapters in Serbia’s EU accession talks on Dec 14 will mark the beginning of the substance of the EU accession and is a sign that the accession is a reachable objective, EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said addressing Serbian MPs Thursday.
Serbia has reached major achievements on its EU path, he said.
Next Monday, the EU and Serbia will open the first two chapters in the talks – Chapter 32 on financial control and Chapter 35 on normalisation of relations with Kosovo, Hahn said.
The idea of accession will no longer be just an idea, but a tangible and reachable objective, he told the MPs and government ministers in the parliament.
Next week’s intergovernmental conference will show that the EU delivers on its promises when countries achieve progress, he said.
Hahn: MPs’ support for integration strong element for EU
BELGRADE – EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said on Thursday that the Serbian MPs’ absolute support for European integration is a strong element for EU partners and proof that there is a strong interest and trust in Serbia’s elite regarding EU enlargement.
Hahn, who met with party whips in the Serbian parliament after addressing MPs at the fifth special session, said that he believes that, very soon after the opening of negotiation chapters 35 and 32, chapters 23 and 24 will be opened as well.
The entire negotiation process will bring great benefits primarily to the citizens of Serbia through reforms, modernisation and development – the citizens need to understand that reforms may be painful, but they should be viewed through the long-term effects, Hahn said.
Source: Tanjug
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