Serbia ready to open five chapters, minister says

Speaking during a meeting with European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia David McAllister, Joksimovic said Serbia is ready to open chapters 33 (financial and budgetary provisions), 9 (financial services, 13 (fisheries), 18 (statistics) and 17 (economic and monetary policy) and expressed hope that some of them would be opened while Bulgaria holds the EU presidency.  

A press release said that Joksimovic and McAllister stressed the importance of continuing reforms under chapters 23 and 24, especially the reforms of the judiciary and the fight against crime and corruption, respect for minority rights and media freedom. 

 McAllister said that he supports the opening of new negotiation chapters for Serbia but added that the European Union member states will decide the number of chapters.   The press release quotes the German parliamentarian as saying that Serbia has done a lot in the European integration process to date which is why it enjoys the support of the EU and European Parliament but that it still has a lot to do.