Dacic: I expect EU to recognize Serbia's efforts

BELGRADE - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic said Thursday that he expects the European Union to recognize and acknowledge the efforts made by Serbia in the EU integration process, and allow it to open the first chapters in accession talks by the end of 2014.

Dacic met with a delegation of the Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession to the Union (COELA), comprising diplomats from 28 EU member states and European Commission officials, and informed them about the reform and legislative activities carried out in Serbia with an aim to initiate the negotiations.

The screening conducted so far has been described as successful, said Dacic, noting that the screening process is completed for 14 and still underway for 7 EU acquis chapters.

Serbia has thus demonstrated that it possesses adequate administrative capacities, said Dacic.

In view of the upcoming bilateral screening for Chapter 31 (on foreign, security and defense policy), scheduled for October 10, the meeting largely focused on matters relevant for this chapter, such as support to the common foreign and security policy, and regional cooperation in the Balkans.

Minister Dacic informed COELA delegation about the country's strong international agenda and foreign policy activity, Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a release.

Serbia will take on a great responsibility once it assumes OSCE chairmanship-in-office in 2015, stressed Dacic, noting that this chairmanship will be significant for the entire region.

COELA delegation is on a three-day official visit to Belgrade at the initiative of Italy as EU Presidency holder since July 1st.

Photo Tanjug/Ministry...