EU opens cluster 4 in accession talks with Serbia; PM: Strong motivation

Cluster, in line with a new accession methodology, includes four chapters - Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity, chapters - Transport Policy, Energy, Trans-European Networks and Environment and Climate Change.

Commenting on the opening of the cluster, Serbia's Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said in Brussels it was a great motivation for her country to continue with reforms in the rule of law, public administration and economy.

"This is a clear signal of our commitment to Serbia's road to the bloc; this is essential news for Serbia and the Western Balkans. The EU sent a strong message that it wants to accelerate its engagement with the green plan to benefit all people, Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Enlargement, said.

Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also welcomed the decision, reminding Serbia of her further obligations.

https://twitter.com/JosepBorrellF/status/1470688760505503744

Várhelyi added that the EU supported all reforms, which recognised Serbia's commitment to the rule of law and decisions related to the constitutional and judicial reforms.

"A hard work must go on and speed up. That's the only way for Serbia to meet conditions for opening clusters. In our 2021 report, the European Commission (EC) said Serbia fulfilled conditions for opening two clusters. The rule of law and the normalisation of relations with Kosovoremain are key," the Commissioner added.

Last time, in December 2019, Brussel opened chapter 4 – Freedom of Movement with Belgrade.

Since 2012, when the negotiations started, out of 35 chapters, Serbia opened 18 and closed two chapters.

The halt in the opening was due to the lack of democracy, the rule of law, and slow reforms, according to the EU.

The intergovernmental conference on Tuesday was chaired by the State Secretary of the Presidency of the European Union of Slovenia, Gasper Dovzan with the presence of high-ranking officials of the member states and institutions of the Union.

Brnabic and Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic took part in the meeting.