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EU's Juncker says Serbia must solve dispute with Kosovo
"Need for judicial reforms and improvements in the rule of law"
27 February, 14:40
(ANSA-AP) - BELGRADO, 27 FEB - European Commission President
Jean-Claude Juncker said that Serbia must solve its dispute with
Kosovo and implement a series of reforms before it can join the
European Union. Juncker said following talks with Serbia's
President Aleksandar Vucic that the Balkan country is on the
right path, but that the EU cannot accept any new members with
unresolved territorial issues.
"Serbia has already covered an impressive part of the path", Juncker said, before adding that a number of problems "still have to be solved". He singled out the need for judicial reforms and improvements in the rule of law before Serbia and others can join the EU.
Juncker is visiting Serbia as part of a tour of the Western Balkans nations aspiring to join the bloc at a time Russia is looking to bolster its influence in the region, particularly in Serbia. The visit comes after the EU drafted a new expansion strategy that envisages Serbia and Montenegro could be the next to join the bloc in 2025. "We need a compromise or we will continue to live in the past", Vucic said.
Juncker has already visited Macedonia and Albania. He will travel to Montenegro before proceeding to Kosovo and Bosnia. His trip ends with an EU summit with regional leaders in Sofia, Bulgaria, on March 1. (ANSA-AP).
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"Serbia has already covered an impressive part of the path", Juncker said, before adding that a number of problems "still have to be solved". He singled out the need for judicial reforms and improvements in the rule of law before Serbia and others can join the EU.
Juncker is visiting Serbia as part of a tour of the Western Balkans nations aspiring to join the bloc at a time Russia is looking to bolster its influence in the region, particularly in Serbia. The visit comes after the EU drafted a new expansion strategy that envisages Serbia and Montenegro could be the next to join the bloc in 2025. "We need a compromise or we will continue to live in the past", Vucic said.
Juncker has already visited Macedonia and Albania. He will travel to Montenegro before proceeding to Kosovo and Bosnia. His trip ends with an EU summit with regional leaders in Sofia, Bulgaria, on March 1. (ANSA-AP).
