Britain supports EU enlargement to Western Balkans

BELGRADE – The new British Ambassador to Serbia, Denis Keefe, has presented his letters of credence to President Tomislav Nikolic, saying that Britain remains one the most ardent advocates of EU enlargement into all countries of the Western Balkans, including Serbia.

The process of negotiations with the EU is a big challenge facing your country. You have a government with strong political capacity and a clear reform vision that Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic outlined in his keynote address, Keefe told Nikolic, addressing him in the Serbian language while presenting his credentials on Monday.

He expressed the hope that despite the difficulties caused by the May flooding, the Serbian government would move decisively towards modernization of the economic structure, affirmation of the rule of law, further development of democratic institutions and improving relations with its neighbors.

These are great challenges, but at some point in the future the entire nation of Serbia will be able to experience tangible benefits from coming closer to the EU, the new British ambassador said.

Pointing to a recent statement by British Prime Minister David Cameron that EU had to undergo reforms, Keefe said that the continuation of the enlargement process, based on clear criteria, was vital for the reforms within the Union.

The UK government remains one of the strongest supporters of EU enlargement into all countries of the Western Balkans, including Serbia, he said.

Keefe said that the current year was very important for Serbia and Britain in terms of remembering the shared history of World War One, pointing out that the British government stood ready to build further on that foundation by improving economic...