Marta Kos in Belgrade: Our requests are similar to what people on the street are asking for

Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement Of the European Union is visiting Belgrade.

First, she met with Prime Minister Đuro Macuta, and then with the President of the Republic, Aleksandar Vučić, in Villa Mir.

There are upcoming meetings with the President of the Assembly, Ana Brnabić, and representatives of the opposition to the protesting students i Students who want to learn.

"What we're looking for is close to what people on the streets are looking for"

Kos, after talking with Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macuta, said that without reforms in the judiciary, free media and a better electoral framework, Serbia cannot progress on its way to the EU.

She said that she called on Matsuta to work with Europe on reforms, on the establishment of an independent judiciary that can effectively fight corruption, and on an electoral framework that will ensure that the will of the Serbian people is heard.

"We know that what we are looking for is very close to what the people protesting on the streets in Serbia are looking for," Kos said, adding that she shares Matsuta's view on solving the problem, that all parts of society must be involved, because real transformation comes from within.

"Work with us on reforms so that your membership is possible. Work with us on establishing an independent judiciary that can effectively fight corruption. Work with us on implementing laws and establishing institutions that will enable free media where all opinions will be represented. Work with us to establish an electoral framework that will ensure that the will of the Serbian people is heard and that decisions are made based on it," Kos said after the meeting with Prime Minister Macuta.

Photo: FoNet/Aleksandar Barda

Vucic: Serbia's readiness to accelerate reforms

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić spoke with Marta Kos about the key challenges and opportunities on Serbia's European path, with a special focus on reforms and the implementation of the European Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

"I emphasized our full readiness to speed up the reforms - not because of bureaucratic requirements, but because we believe that they bring a better life to our citizens," Vučić said on Instagram.

According to him, Serbia sees the Growth Plan as a chance to speed up economic development, strengthen institutions and thus bring it closer to the European Union, not only politically, but also fundamentally, through concrete benefits and standards that citizens can feel.

"I believe that through serious work, responsibility and sincere partnership with the European Union, we will take advantage of the existing momentum and open a new phase in the European integration process of Serbia," said Vučić.

 

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Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said earlier on Tuesday that he does not expect anything special from the visit of the European Commissioner for Enlargement and that he hopes for a little more objectivity from Brussels.

"As for Marta Kos, it's nice that the representatives of the European Union are coming, because Serbia is on the European path. I believe that developments regarding the Regulatory Agency, media laws, ODIHR's recommendations will contribute to Serbia's further progress on the European path. And what I personally expect, I don't expect anything. I hope for a little more objectivity from the people of Brussels, and if I expect something, I don't expect anything," said Vučić earlier on Tuesday.

For the EU, neighbors are important.

After the meeting with Matsuta, Kos said that Europe, faced with new challenges in the areas of security and trade, is "changing rapidly" and that the "unity of Europe" is the solution to those problems. She added that the European Union's neighbors are "very important" not only as partners but also as EU members.

She added that many countries that are candidates for membership in the European Union have accelerated the implementation of reforms and that she hopes that this will also be the case in Serbia.

"This is not just about expansion. Many candidate countries have realized that it is necessary to implement reforms faster than has been the case so far. I would like this to happen in Serbia, which has a rich history and tradition with very hardworking and innovative people," she said.

Kos announced that she will meet with the students who are in the blockade, as well as with the students who oppose the blockades, and said that she will continue to support Serbia and its citizens in their aspirations towards Europe.

"We expect that the Government of Serbia will do what it has to do and I am sure that I can count on you to be a partner in this endeavor," said Kos, addressing the Prime Minister of Serbia, Đura Matsut.

Prime Minister of Serbia Đuro Macut said that he hopes that the focus of the visit of the European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will be education and that it will help to establish the dialogue that has been frozen in previous months.

He said at a joint press conference with Kos that negotiations with the European Union have not progressed much in the previous three years, but that Serbia is intensively implementing reforms in the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and in the fight against corruption.

"Our strong commitment to EU integration is an absolute priority. However, that process is long-term for Serbia," said Macut.

He noted that speeding up the process of rapprochement with the EU and cluster three will be a priority of his government.

Kos previously stated on the X social network that Serbia has gone through difficult months.

"I am here to listen to you and to reiterate European support to all who are committed to overcoming the current political deadlock," Kos emphasized.

Source: FoNet/N1