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Europa English European External Action Service EEAS
23.05.2025
Pressemitteilung
Serbia: remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the press conference
Check against delivery! Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. It is really a pleasure to be here in Belgrade. Of course, we have had very intensive programs, so very intense discussions. During my visit, I met with President Vucic. I met with the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Parliament, opposition representatives, civil society and also the representatives of the youth. As expected, the views are very divergent, but we had a good exchange on issues including Serbia's EU accession,...
Check against delivery! Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. It is really a pleasure to be here in Belgrade. Of course, we have had very intensive programs, so very intense discussions. During my visit, I met with President Vucic. I met with the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Parliament, opposition representatives, civil society and also the representatives of the youth. As expected, the views are very divergent, but we had a good exchange on issues including Serbia's EU accession, domestic reforms and the ongoing dialogue with Pristina. Let me start with EU enlargement. I am deeply committed to encouraging all the Western Balkan countries to really seize the current momentum that we have in enlargement. Yes, this process has been going on for quite some time, but there is always a political momentum, and this political momentum is right now – the united Europe is one vision that we must all work towards. From my discussions with the Serbian political leadership, it is clear that EU membership remains a strategic goal. However, I want to emphasize that we need to see actions also to prove and support those words. Reforms are how Serbia will advance along its EU path. There are no shortcuts for membership. Real progress must be made here in Belgrade, and the next steps are very clear. They include media freedom, combating corruption, electoral reforms. Reforms need to be real, not just ticking the box on the paper. These reforms will bring real benefits for the...
Errors and omissions excepted. As of: 23.05.2025