Kallas: Reforms are the way for Serbia to advance on its EU path

BELGRADE - At the end of her visit to Belgrade, EU foreign policy and security chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday reforms were the way for Serbia to advance on its EU path, and noted that she planned to invite representatives of Belgrade and Pristina to Brussels soon.

At a press conference, Kallas said she had had intensive discussions and that she had met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, PM Djuro Macut, Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic and opposition representatives, as well as with representatives of civil society and youth.

"As expected, the views are very divergent, but we had a good exchange on issues including Serbia's EU accession, domestic reforms and the ongoing dialogue with Pristina," she said.

"I am deeply committed to encouraging all the Western Balkan countries to really seize the current momentum that we have in the enlargement. Yes, the process has been going on for quite some time, but there is always a political momentum, and this political momentum is right now. United Europe is one vision that we must all work towards. From my discussions with the Serbian political leadership, it is clear that EU membership remains a strategic goal. However, I want to emphasise that we need to see actions also to prove and support those words. Reforms are how Serbia will advance along its EU path. There are no shortcuts for membership, real progress must be made here, in Belgrade. And the next steps are very clear - they include media freedom, combatting corruption, electoral reforms. So, reforms need to be real, not just ticking the box on the paper," Kallas added.

Speaking about normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations, she said it was time to "overcome the past and focus on the common future."

"I plan to invite representatives from Belgrade and Pristina to Brussels as soon as possible to discuss concrete steps forward," she added.

Asked if there would be any change of format in the dialogue, Kallas noted that a new EU special envoy had been appointed for the dialogue.

"We have been mapping what works and what does not work in this process because what we need is normalisation of relations. It is necessary for the future of both (parties)," she said.

She said the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina had been discussed as well and that she had stressed "the importance of Serbia's leadership and constructive role in supporting the country's stability."

"The future of the region depends on this," she added.

Commenting on Vucic's trip to Moscow for the May 9 Victory Day parade, Kallas said the matter had been discussed at a recent European Political Community summit in Tirana and that she had expressed her position, while Vucic had presented his views.