Kos: Serbia needs more effort and concrete results

"The European Commission is committed to supporting Serbia on its EU path. Accession is more than a technical process, it is a decision to embrace a future that is rooted in democracy and dignity, and this is only possible if the entire society participates," she said.

She recalled her meetings with political leaders, students, civil society, university professors during her trip to Serbia. “At all those meetings, with everyone, I conveyed the same message – Serbia has a historic opportunity to join the European Union. Accession negotiations will require determination and leadership. Reforms are necessary, and not because of Brussels, but for the benefit of Serbian society, and this is the same thing that citizens have been demanding on the streets for five months," Kos said.

She said that judiciary needs to be independent as well as the media and added that electoral reforms are crucial to Serbia’s progress towards EU membership as well as in resolving the current political crisis and divisions in Serbian society.

Kos said intimidation can’t be tolerated.

"Serbia's progress also implies the improvement of relations with Kosovo, which is important for regional stability and the path to European membership. Constructive leadership in the region is very important for our cooperation. We want a democratic and prosperous Serbia within the EU,” Kos said.