Skopje, 7 April 2023 (MIA) - Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and Serbian Minister of European Integration Tanja Miščević signed on Friday a memorandum of cooperation in the area of European integration. The Ministers noted that relations between the two countries are excellent, pointing out this was yet another confirmation that particular importance is given to cooperation and further development of overall bilateral relations in achieving the strategic goal - European integration. 

 

Speaking at a press conference after signing the memorandum, Deputy PM Bojan Marichikj said the two Governments have the same task and mission. 

 

"Let's bring our citizens closer to the EU values in the coming years, and also make even more visible the benefits from the accession process. We're not just neighbors and geographically close countries with Serbia. We share a common past, close traditional relations, and most importantly, we have a common future and the same interest - to develop our two countries in the European way and provide better life for our citizens," said Marichikj. 

 

The two countries, he added, have done a lot and their progress is clear. 

 

 

"Today we have a political momentum and Brussels' support to give new dynamics to negotiations with the EU. The Russian aggression against Ukraine made clear the need for unification and ensuring stability in the Western Balkans, which opened new opportunities for the region to take a step forward in European integration, and at the same time gave a chance for Ukraine, Moldova....," Marichikj said. 

 

According to him, the European perspective of the two countries is attainable as never before, and what is expected from the EU is certainty and a clear plan for the enlargement of the Union, i.e. an incentive to speed up the transformation processes of societies. 

 

"We showed that we are a credible EU partner and are ready to respond to the task. It is the Union's turn to give a time frame and complete the unification of the old continent. I believe this is an ideal moment to speed up the accession process, given that this year marks 20 years since the Thessaloniki Summit, when the Western Balkan countries were promised a European perspective, and also considering the new geopolitical context," Marichkij pointed out. 

 

By signing the cooperation memorandum on Friday, the Deputy PM said the two ministries are making a contribution towards a more successful preparation and towards facilitating the process of EU accession. 

 

 

"The experience and exchange of knowledge, information, practices among the negotiators, the group of negotiators, experts involved in the accession negotiations, as well as ministries and agencies in the implementation of EU policies in all Clusters, will be an important contribution in the efficiency of the process," said Marichikj. 

 

Commenting on the Open Balkan initiative, the Deputy PM said it has shown in practice what it is like to function in the EU, to talk about infrastructire projects, trade exchange, mobility, boosting economy and creating a stable and favorable investment environment. 

 

Serbian Minister Miščević pointed out that the chemistry and the spirit between the two institutions is excellent, calling the two countries "brotherly", dealing with strategic affairs. 

  

According to Miščević, today is the right time to talk about the new methodology.

 

"We had a very good discussion about the screening, the clusters, the new obligations, which are already to some extent different from what Serbia was doing in the negotiation process. But not only learning, as Marichikj said, our task is to try to find a common approach to the EU and the member states when it comes to the new methodology," said Miščević.

 

The Serbian Minister pointed out that work is underway on greater inclusion in terms of the EU common market, through the Open Balkan concept.

 

"One of the things that can be discussed is how to use our Stabilization and Association Agreements to improve that segment because I fully agree that the greatest benefit of the process should be available to all of us as citizens. All those who can use cross-border cooperation, projects resulting from such cooperation, those who have the potential to develop and trade with the EU, those who try to improve their capacities, knowledge and skills to respond to the new challenges of the digital and IT world, these issues we can absolutely discuss," Miščević said. 

 

In response to a reporter's question on what is the reason for the optimism and enthusiasm of the two ministers regarding joining the Union, Deputy PM Marichikj said it was due to their work and commitment.

 

 

"I believe the optimism is first due to our work. Second, to the geopolitical moment related to the war in Ukraine and the fact that EU members are willing to discuss next enlargement, for the first time in a long time, and our duty is based on what we deliver, and we have no easy tasks at all. On the contrary, we have very difficult tasks in our negotiating frameworks, a lot of work awaits us in all chapters, and we also have difficult bilateral issues that we have to resolve," said Marichikj. 

 

Minister Miščević said what they were trying to do was change the societies and countries through different reform processes. 

 

"When we talk about the fight against corruption or when we talk about Serbia, we are actually working on a new strategy for the fight against corruption. After the introduction of the independent body in 2009 and the Action Strategy, we are now a step away or at that point when we can clearly say what the "shortcomings" are. We noticed that what is missing in this clear fight against corruption is prevention, stronger criminal prosecution of those who deal with corrupt matters," said Miščević, who is paying an official visit to Skopje on Friday. 

 

Following the press conference, the two delegations are holding a workshop at the Government dedicated to European integration.