President Vučić in Brussels

 

Upon his arrival in Brussels, President Vučić emphasised that an informal working dinner is of great importance and announced that he would protect the interests of Serbia and the Serbian people.

 

"We will exchange arguments, and our job is to position Serbia in the best possible way in the future. We will act responsibly and seek more serious EU support for Serbia's European path and accelerate Serbia's economic development," said President Vučić.

 

Upon his arrival at a working dinner of the EU and Western Balkans leaders, the European Council President Charles Michel stressed that this was an important meeting devoted to strategic discussion on common goals of the EU and the Western Balkans and added that he expected straightforward, open and constructive partnership talks.

 

"We will discuss the ways to deepen the EU-Western Balkans partnership. We will reaffirm the European perspective of the region and give clear guidance on the necessary progress in the areas of the rule of law, fight against corruption and organised crime," said the President of the European Council. 

 

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the geostrategic interest of both the EU and the Western Balkans was to bring the region closer to the Union.

 

"We have modified the methodology that should now restore confidence in both sides and establish a credible perspective of the EU accession," said the European Commission President, iterating that the Western Balkans remain to be a priority for the European Commission, which is preparing an important investment package for the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit in Zagreb. 

 

 

Following an informal dinner of Western Balkans leaders with the EU officials, President Vučić said the EU was open to hear our initiatives and ideas and to launch an investment package for the region.

 

"It is essential that we have witnessed the sincere commitment of the EU and their top officials to the progress of the entire region and the desire for people living in the Western Balkans to feel the benefits of the EU accession," said President Vučić, adding that many things in Europe will turn towards the Balkans. He said the EU would also foster regional cooperation, which implies that they would have much more tangible results than so far. 

 

 

"We fought both for ourselves and the whole region, it was our job, and we did it well. It is particularly reassuring that we will have many meetings and a greater commitment to the Balkans, compared to what was in the past," concluded President Vučić. 

 

Brussels,

16th February 2020