Joksimovic: There is political consensus on joining EU

BELGRADE - The existence of a political consensus regarding European integrations is the most important, Serbian Minister without portfolio for European Integrations Jadranka Joksimovic said on Wednesday.

At the second plenary session of the National convent on the European Union, Joksimovic said that the consensus on European integrations is being affirmed in the parliament, where all parties are pro-European, with the civil society also involved in the process.

Speaking about forthcoming steps in the European integration process, Joksimovic said that she expects the first chapters in the accession process to be opened, adding that, due to a number of political circumstances, there is a request that the toughest political chapters - Chapters 23. 24 and 35 - be opened first.

Commenting on Chapter 35, which deals with Kosovo, Joksimovic said that Serbia is striving to achieve visible progress, and that Pristina, too - not just Belgrade - has obligations in the implementation of the Brussels Agreement.

Discouraging statements that should not be made in a blackmailing fashion have been coming from the region lately, she said.

"We will be constructive and we will in no way increase the burden on the negotiation process between Belgrade and Pristina, which is not simple at all," she said.

JOKSIMOVIC ANNOUNCED CONSTITUTION OF CORE NEGOTIATING TEAM

Serbian Minister without portfolio in charge of European integration Jadranka Joksimovic said on Wednesday that the core negotiating team in charge of Serbia's EU accession talks would be set up soon, and added that the consultations on the matter have already begun.

Addressing the second plenary session of the National Convention on the EU,...