VIENNA – Chief Negotiator for Serbia’s accession negotiations with the EU Tanja Miscevic stated that the accession talks with the EU may begin in June by opening Chapter 35 on normalisation of relations with Pristina.
After this step, chapters on the judiciary and rule of law will be opened, Miscevic explained in an interview for the Vienna-based daily Kurier.
Asked about the obstacles on the EU path, Miscevic replied that implementation of reforms is important and that Serbia needs to adjust its legal system to that of the EU, noting that this is essential for the entire Balkans.
Adjustments to EU standards entail their own costs, she said and noted that in addition to the fight against corruption, Serbia’s biggest challenge lies in the normalisation of relations with Pristina.
Miscevic underscored that the dialogue with Pristina implies legal agreements, not the recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
She noted that citizens’ support to Serbia’s EU accession increased over a short period of time from 50 to 55 percent and two thirds of the population support key reforms.
When asked if former Austrian chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer would get the advisor’s seat in the new Serbian government, Miscevic said she believes he will.
