Press Releases
12.11.2020. - 13:59
Meeting with the ambassadors of the Quint countries and the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia
The President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić met today the ambassadors of the Quint countries (Republic of Italy, the Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of France, USA and the United Kingdom) and the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, to discuss topical issues such as the fight against COVID-19, Sofia summit, continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, regional connectivity of the Western Balkan countries, and numerous projects aimed at a comprehensive and accelerated progress of the entire region, and COP26. Special attention in the talks was dedicated to Serbia’s European path and further steps in strengthening cooperation and partnership between our country and the Quint countries in areas of common interest.
President Vučić thanked the diplomatic representatives of the Quint countries and the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia for the strong support for the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and also for having expressed optimism that the dialogue would give clear and positive results for citizens of all countries of the Western Balkans. The President pointed out that there were still differences in the approach between Belgrade and Pristina, but that Serbia was determined to continue pursuing the path of preservation of stability in the region and that it would remain dedicated to the dialogue and finding a compromised solution regarding Kosovo and Metohija.
Speaking about the importance of regional cooperation, President Vučić reminded that the first concrete step was made in this context in the implementation of the “Mini Schengen” initiative, since an interstate Agreement of free movement of citizens with ID cards was signed between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Albania.
President Vučić added that Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania also signed a Memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, which was positively assessed at the recent Sofia Summit – the conference of the Berlin Process on the Western Balkans. The President emphasized that within the Serbian policy, which is aimed at cooperation and preservation of stability in the region, these agreements would bring concrete benefits to the citizens of the three countries, as well as additional security.
The Ambassadors pointed out that the declarations on the Common Regional Market – which embeds also the 'mini – Schengen initiative - and the Green Agenda for the Balkan which were signed by Serbia and all the leaders of the region were very positively welcomed in Brussels and EU countries, and that good and solid connectivity and integration of the countries of the region largely facilitates the cooperation of the very Union with the Western Balkan countries in all areas of mutual interest.
President Vučić exchanged opinions with the Quint Ambassadors and Head of the EU Delegation also regarding the current political situation in Serbia, and stressed the importance of the programme of the new Government, which will continue the pursuit of a responsible policy on macroeconomic stability, further growth, improvement of the rule of law and accelerated reform process. In this context, the President singled out further strengthening of the partnership and cooperation with all relevant EU institutions, which will remain one of the priorities in the period to come, bearing in mind primarily the best practice of EU member states. President Vučić committed that Serbia would increase its investment in the “green agenda”.
President Vučić particularly emphasized that it was fully understandable that the Union’s focus was redirected to the fight against the pandemic COVID-19 and mitigation of its consequences, since nearly all world agendas changed and adjusted to the new situation, which is more than serious. The President also added that EU, Great Britain and USA will always have in Serbia a reliable friend and partner in the fight against these disease, because these hard times and challenges call for solidarity and seriousness, which our country has demonstrated numerous times in practice.
He thanked the European Union for the continuous support in the fight against the pandemic, and for its preparedness to assist in mitigating its economic consequences. He expressed the same gratitude to the non-EU Quint countries – USA and UK. President Vučić expressed his full dedication to continue fighting against the contagious disease COVID-19.
The Quint Ambassadors and the Head of the EU Delegation welcomed determination of the new Serbian Government to intensify working on improvement of the rule of law, fight against corruption, freedom of media and other areas that are crucial for Serbia’s path towards the EU. The Ambassadors and the Head of the EU Delegation also welcomed the new Government’s decision to continue Serbia’s aspirations towards EU membership.
President Vučić said that Serbia was interested in intensifying the political dialogue, and economic and other forms of cooperation with the Quint countries.
Belgrade,
12 November 2020
