Serbian FM to EU Commissioner: Region needs encouragement

Tanjug/Marina Maksimović

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic told European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi in Brussels on Monday that the Western Balkans need encouragement on the European path.

A Foreign Ministry press release quoted Selakovic as telling Varhelyi that accession to the European Union is Serbia’s foreign policy priority and strategic determination. It said that they also discussed the situation in Ukraine and the region and the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue but did not mention possible sanctions against Russia.


“The minister said that Belgrade is fully committed to the dialogue with Pristina but that the commitment of the other side is doubtful, especially bearing in mind Pristina’s application for membership in the Council of Europe which does not contribute to the normalization of relations,” the press release said.

Selakovic said that maintaining the stability of the region and intensifying cooperation is one of Serbia’s crucial interests.