Sweden backs opening of first chapter by year-end

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister without portfolio responsible for EU integration Jadranka Joksimovic conferred on Friday with Swedish Ambassador to Serbia Christer Asp and underlined that Serbia is ready for the opening of Chapter 32 of the acquis.

Asp pointed out that it is important for Serbia to open at least one chapter of its EU accession talks by the end of the year, adding that Stockholm supports the opening of Chapter 32, which refers to financial control, as a good foundation for the opening of Chapter 23 (Judiciary and fundamental rights) and Chapter 24 (Justice, freedom and security).

Joksimovic said that the government is currently working on Action plans for these chapters and thanked Sweden for the development aid and donations to Serbia, Serbian government's Office for Cooperation with the Media stated in a release.

In addition to EUR 13 million donated to Serbia every year, Sweden also allocated an additional EUR 2 million to help repair the damage in flood-affected areas.

Photo Tanjug/R. Prelic (archive)