Soder: We want Serbia in EU, it needs to be strong partner

BELGRADE - It is very important that Serbia becomes an EU member state, Minister-President of the German state of Bavaria Markus Soder said in Belgrade on Friday, adding that Serbia would have Bavaria's support on the EU accession path.

"It is very important that Serbia be a strong and good partner. Many Serbian families live in Bavaria and we care very much about you joining the EU. It would be a great pity for Europe as well as for Serbia if you would not be proceeding on that path. It is truly a great opportunity. That said, everyone must do their homework but it is also important that the EU is not a community where everyone must speak and think the same," Soder said after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Palace of Serbia.

He announced a Serbia-Bavaria commission would be set up to expand cooperation.

"We will establish a small Bavarian representative office in Belgrade to develop economic relations as well as research in science and technology," Soder said.