European Council Head: Condemning Russian invasion of Ukraine and dialogue with Kosovo are key to Serbia's European path

Clear condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and dialogue with Kosovo are key to Serbia's further integration into the European Union, said European Council President Antonio Costa on May 13 during a visit to Belgrade.

"The ball is now in your court and please let's not waste time, because the future will not wait," Costa said at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Costa added that he spoke with Vučić about the reforms that Serbia needs to undertake to open the next chapter on the path of European integration.

Over the past three years, Serbia has not opened any chapters in its accession talks with the European Union, which it has been pursuing since 2014.

Regarding Vučić's visit to Moscow for the Victory Day celebration, despite messages from Brussels asking him not to go, Costa said that Vučić explained to him that he went to celebrate a historical event.

"But, at present, Serbia is fully engaged in the EU membership process and I know that for this we need to have full harmonisation in foreign and security policy. We cannot change history, I fully understand that Serbia celebrates liberation, but we cannot celebrate this without condemning the current invasion of another state," Costa said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that he is aware that many EU officials do not support his recent visit to Moscow, but that he hopes that they will have understanding and that Belgrade will be able to open a new chapter in the integration process.

"I fully understand their concerns because we have not imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation, but Serbia has remained very principled since the beginning of the conflict. Just as we support our territorial integrity, we also support the territorial integrity of other countries, including Ukraine," Vučić said.

He added that he is aware that the atmosphere for opening new chapters of EU accession negotiations "is not so good" due to his visit to Moscow, but that Serbia will try to do everything that was previously agreed upon.

He stressed that the EU is the "most important partner" for Serbia, with which it has the largest trade exchange.

Costa is in Belgrade as part of a several-day visit to the Western Balkans. After Belgrade, he will go to Sarajevo and Podgorica, while on May 15 he will visit Skopje and Tirana, where the European Political Community Summit will be held on May 16.

Costa said before the visit that there is no set date for the admission of new members to the European Union, but assessed that Albania and Montenegro are ahead of other Western Balkan countries./rel