Macut, Brunner discuss Serbia's EU path, protection of human rights

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut met with European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner in Belgrade on Wednesday to discuss Serbia’s EU path, advancement of democratic standards, strengthening of institutions, rule of law and protection of human rights.

Macut said that "membership in the European Union is a strategic commitment and priority of Serbia’s foreign policy and that he believes that Europe looks towards Serbia just as Serbia looks towards it, without conditionality, bearing in mind that Serbia is fully committed to the European path and is diligently working to fulfil all recommendations and guidelines," a government statement said.

"According to the Prime Minister, numerous reform-related steps across all sectors have been implemented, and Serbia therefore has high expectations regarding the acceleration of accession negotiations and the opening of chapters and clusters, while at the same time remaining open to all modalities proposed by the competent European institutions.

Macut pointed out that Serbia, proceeding from the shared strategic interest in a stable and secure European continent, supports the model of gradual institutional integration of candidate countries, including the possibility of temporary participation in certain institutional and political formats, with certain limitations such as the absence of veto rights and with a clear principle of reversibility.

With regard to the transport community, the Prime Minister reiterated Belgrade’s position that it is necessary to find a satisfactory solution and reduce waiting times at the borders of the Schengen area.

Speaking about migration and migratory movements of the population, Macut emphasised that the Republic of Serbia has demonstrated that it shares European values, as well as its readiness to assume its share of obligations, with full respect for the norms and standards of international law.

In this area, as noted by the Prime Minister, outstanding results have been achieved, cooperation with European institutions has been coordinated, and Serbia has contributed to the quality of solutions to these issues," it also said.