Brnabic: Enlargement important for region, as well as for EU itself

SARAJEVO - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, who is also deputy leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), attended on Monday a European People's Party (EPP) panel in Sarajevo, noting that EU enlargement was important for the Western Balkan region, as well as for the EU itself.

"Today in Sarajevo, I spoke at a panel organised by the EPP, of which the SNS is a proud associate member. We discussed the EU enlargement and the role of the EPP in that process in the Western Balkans. Great gratitude to the EPP for always advocating the enlargement agenda in a clear manner. We have good news from the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, and an excellent French-German proposal that we hope will be considered in the most serious manner," Brnabic posted on Instagram.

Against such a backdrop, Serbia continues its rule-of-law reforms and is primarily focused on cooperation with the Venice Commission on a set of judicial laws and full implementation of ODIHR recommendations for further improvement of electoral conditions, she added.

"At the same time, if we look at economic parameters, Serbia is much more prepared for membership than some countries were at the time they joined the EU," Brnabic added.

The SNS, as a part of the EPP family, continues to work on Serbia's EU path, she noted.

"I am grateful for any discussion and dialogue on integration of the Western Balkans. I believe the enlargement is exceptionally important for our region, but it would be important for the EU itself as well. That would ensure economic prosperity to the region, as well as greater competition, better living standards and, most importantly, long-term peace," Brnabic concluded.