European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi said in Belgrade that he hopes the new Serbian government will step up the pace of accession to the European Union (EU), noting that it is expected to carry out democratic and rule of law reforms and align more closely with EU’s foreign policy.

Addressing a joint media conference following his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Varhelyi said he also hopes Serbia will become an EU member before the next European Commission’s term is up in 2029.

Regarding the draft resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica to be considered by the UN General Assembly, Varhelyi said he absolutely disagrees with any position on the collective guilt of the Serbian people.

The next European Commission will have to be an enlargement commission and focus on new members because it is clear what membership has brought to Central and Eastern European countries that joined in 2004, he said.

We are now building up the momentum so the next Commission could achieve results in terms of enlargement, said Varhelyi, adding that EU’s doors are open to new members and that the EU wants enlargement.

Serbian President Vucic voiced his opinion that no country will be admitted to the EU before Ukraine, but at the same time at the very best.

Addressing reporters after his meeting with Varhelyi, Vucic said he expects Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkans to all join the EU at the same time, adding he wasn’t sure if a Western Balkans country may be an exception.

“Mark my words and then, in four years’ time, remember that there was someone who told you exactly how things would happen,” said Vucic.