EU accession "depends on Serbia's progress"

EU accession "depends on Serbia's progress"

BELGRADE -- Opening of first chapters in EU accession negotiations with Serbia is the first goal, but the success and speed of the process will depend on Serbia's progress.

This is according to Latvian FM Edgars Rinkevics, who currently chairs the EU Council of Ministers as Latvia on January 1 took over EU's rotating six months presidency.

Rinkevics told the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti that the key to the progress were implementation of action plans relating to fundamental rights and justice, as well as further progress in reforms, especially in ensuring the rule of law, "and continued dialogue with Kosovo."

"Latvia expects that Serbia and Kosovo will continue to work on further normalization of relations on all levels, as both parties have agreed in the Brussels Agreement in April 2013. The dialogue at a high level after the forming of the government in Kosovo should be continued in the near future, in order to accelerate implementation of existing agreements," said Rinkevics.

He added that there was "no change with respect to the objectives of the dialogue" and that the process, as envisaged in the negotiating framework, should lead to "a comprehensive normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo."

Stating that Latvia, during its presidency of the EU, will "do everything possible to assist in the achievement of progress in European integrations," Rinkevics pointed out that "the pace of integration can be accelerated if the citizens of Serbia and its politicians pay attention to the fact that, regardless the fact that Serbia is already a candidate for membership, it is important to at this time adjust to the attitudes that are part of the common EU foreign...