Vucic Claims US Backing For Serbia's EU Goals

After meeting Susan Rice, the national security advisor to President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said in Washington that Serbia can now count on US support for its EU integration process.

Rice "expressed high regard for our economic and political reforms and for the role of Serbia in maintaining regional stability...and when you have the support of the US, many things are easier," the Prime Minister said.

He added that Washington would send EU signals of its support for Serbia's European Union membership aspirations.

Serbia sees Vucic's visit to the US as a crucial opportunity to gain important diplomatic support for its European integration and for the rapid opening of the first chapters in the membership negotiations with Brussels.

The government hopes to open the first chapters by the end of the year.

A planned meeting with the US Vice President Joe Biden, which should have been the highlight of the Prime Minister's visit, had to be cancelled due to the death of Biden's son, Beau.

Vucic meanwhile said Rice "showed great respect for the way that Serbia has managed to reduce its fiscal deficit.

"If we provide positive economic growth at the same time, and I think we're on the right track, it would be a real miracle for our country because it will enable our rapid economic development in the next two or three years," the Prime Minister noted.

Vucic added that he had also discussed energy issues with Rice and Serbia's need to diversify energy suppliers.

"I hope we will have a lot of support from the US, not only about our path to the EU but also about diversification of gas supply routes for Serbia and the Balkans," he said.

Before he left for US, Vucic indicated in a media interview that...